Mobile Robot With Removable Fabric Panels

ABSTRACT

A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The robot can patrol one or more routes within a building, and can detect violations of security policies by objects, building infrastructure and security systems, or individuals. In response to the detected violations, the robot can perform one or more security operations. The robot can include a removable fabric panel, enabling sensors within the robot body to capture signals that propagate through the fabric. In addition, the robot can scan RFID tags of objects within an area, for instance coupled to store inventory. Likewise, the robot can generate or update one or more semantic maps for use by the robot in navigating an area and for measuring compliance with security policies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplications No. 62/293,229 filed Feb. 9, 2016, No. 62/301,545 filedFeb. 29, 2016, and No. 62/350,713 filed Jun. 15, 2016, each of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to robots, and in particular torobots configured for operation in commercial and industrial settings.

Robots are increasingly prevalent in society, particularly inentertainment and manufacturing contexts. However, the adoption ofrobots in these contexts has outpaced settings where frequentrobot/human interactions are required. Examples of such settings includeretail environments, security environments, and the like. The abilitiesof robots, for instance, the ability to communicate with building andobject infrastructure, creates an unaddressed demand for theimplementation of robots in commercial and industrial settings.

SUMMARY

A mobile robot (“robot” hereinafter) configured for operation incommercial and industrial settings is described herein. The robot canperform a number of functions and operations in a variety of categories,including but not limited to security operations, infrastructure ormaintenance operations, navigation or mapping operations, inventorymanagement operations, and robot/human interaction operations.

In some embodiments, the robot can primarily function as asecurity-oriented system. The robot can patrol routes within a building(such as a workplace, store, or warehouse), and can identify suspiciousactivity or individuals, detect violations of security policies, anddetect security anomalies. For instance, the robot can identifyunauthorized individuals within a restricted area, or can identifyindividuals perform an unauthorized action. Likewise, the robot canidentify a building object or system indicative of a potential securityrisk, such as an unlocked door or open window. The robot can coordinatewith a central system of the building, with building infrastructure andsecurity systems, with other robots, and with individuals (such assecurity personnel and a robot operator).

In response to detecting a potential security risk or a security policyviolation, the robot can perform one or more security operations. Forinstance, the robot can attempt to obstruct an individual attempting toaccess an off-limits portion of a building, can monitor or follow theindividual, can record video of the individual, and can inform securitypersonnel of the individual. Likewise, the robot can perform acorrective security operation, for instance by locking a door leftunlocked or by relocating secure materials left in an unauthorizedlocation. In some embodiments, the robot can couple with a buildinginfrastructure system or security system to perform a securityoperation. For instance, the robot can instruct one or more securitycameras associated with a location of a security anomaly to recordvideo, or can instruct smart doors within a proximity of a suspiciousindividual to lock, preventing the individual from leaving the area.

The robot can provide information to a central system of a building, forinstance information identifying a location of the robot, a field ofview of the robot, video captured by the robot, locations of individualsand objects detected by the robot, and the like. The central system candisplay the information received from the robot in an interface inconjunction with information received from other robots, infrastructuresystems, and security systems. In some embodiments, the central systemdisplays a map identifying a location of the robot, a location of otherinfrastructure and security systems, and a location of all detectedindividuals and objects. The central system can further displayinformation associated with detected security violations, informationdescribing a robot state, functions available to a user of the centralsystem to perform, and a patrol route of the robot.

In some embodiments, the robot can generate or update a semantic mapassociated with a location and identifying one or more of: locations ofobjects, an identity of the objects, a state of the objects, and othercharacteristics of the objects. The semantic map can be generated by therobot by using a first set of sensors to identify obstacles and pathwayswithin the location, and by using a second set of sensors to identifyobjects within the location, object locations, object states, and objectcharacteristics. The semantic map can be used by the robot to performvarious operations, such as security operations (for instance, identifyan object as a potential security policy violation by determining if adetected object state varies from a previous detection of the objectstate), navigation operations, and the like. Likewise, the semantic mapcan be provided to a central system for use by or display to a user ofthe central system.

The robot may be equipped with RFID reader antennas configured todetected RFID tags within a location. For instance, the robot cannavigate within a retail store, and can scan the store for RFID tagswhile navigating. In some embodiments, the robot can determine alocation of detected RFID tags, for instance by detecting the RFID tagsfrom a number of different locations, or by using an onboard directionof arrival antenna array. The robot can perform various functions basedon the detected RFID tags, for instance updating a store inventorydatabase to reflect the detected RFID tag or the location of thedetected RFID tag, by providing the location of the object coupled tothe detected RFID tag to a requesting customer, or by flagging theobject coupled to the detected RFID tag to a store employee forrelocation (for instance, in response to determining that the object isin a location other than the proper or historical location of theobject).

The robot can include various hardware components configured to enablethe performance of the security operations, infrastructure ormaintenance operations, navigation or mapping operations, inventorymanagement operations, robot/human interaction operations, and otheroperations described herein. The robot can include a navigation systemand power source configured to enable the robot to move within alocation. The robot can include various indicators or interactionmechanisms configured to communication information to or receive aninput from a human. The robot can include various sensors, such ascameras, motion detectors, audio detectors, rangefinders, depth sensors,and the like to enable the robot to recognize and process theenvironment in which the robot operators. The robot can also includevarious transceiver components, such as a WiFi antenna, cellular or LTEantenna, RFID reader antennas, and the like.

The robot can further include a fabric housing coupled around a body ofthe robot. The fabric housing can be removable, and can enable sensorswithin the robot body to detect or capture signals that propagatethrough the fabric. The fabric can be a low-cost component relative to ahardened, plastic, or other solid exterior, beneficially enabling easyreplacement of the fabric housing in the event of damage. Further, thefabric housing can enable the flow of air through the housing,beneficially aiding in the cooling of interior components of the robot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate various views of a mobile robot,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram illustrating a mobile robotenvironment, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the central system of FIG. 2, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the infrastructure system of FIG. 2,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the security system of FIG. 2, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates a view of a mobile robot with a removed fabricexterior, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates a view of a removable fabric exterior for a mobilerobot, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile robot architecture,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of an example mobile robot and various robotcomponents, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a process for patrolling an area bya robot, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a process for monitoring themovement of an individual, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an infrastructure camera array, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a building computing system, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a process for using buildinginfrastructure to perform security operations, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a process for controlling asecurity robot by a central system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a security interface for display by a centralsystem, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a process for interacting with asecurity robot using a security interface, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a SLAM map, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates the generation of a 3D semantic map by a robot,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example semantic map of a building floor,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a process for generating a semanticmap, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a process for detecting securitypolicy violations and performing security operations using a semanticmap, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate example antenna distributions within arobot, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate an example of an antenna array located onan extendible robot boom arm, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates example navigable paths through an environment toscan for RFID tags, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating a process for detecting andlocalizing RFID tags, according to one embodiment.

The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention forpurposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION System Overview

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate various views of a mobile robot,according to one embodiment. The mobile robot 100 (or simply “robot”hereinafter) can navigate and move around an environment in which therobot is located, for instance by moving forward, backwards, sideways,and by turning or rotating up to 360 degrees within a plane defined by asurface on which the robot is located. In some embodiments, the robotcan be deployed within a building, for instance on one or more floors orportions of floors of a building, can be deployed outside (for instance,in a parking lot), or can be deployed any other suitable location.

The robot 100 includes exterior fabric panels, as described below ingreater detail. The fabric panels can be removably or fixedly coupledaround a housing body of the robot. The robot also includes a pluralityof sensors and other components enclosed within the housing body,described below in greater detail. A portion of the sensors can belocated within the body of the robot, for instance behind or underneaththe fabric panels such that the sensors can receive signals thatpropagate through the fabric panels. The structure, components, andfunctionality of the robot are described below in greater detail. Itshould be noted that in other embodiments, the robot can includedifferent form factors, structures, components, and functionalities thanthose described herein.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram illustrating a mobile robotenvironment, according to one embodiment. The environment of FIG. 2includes one or more robots 100, a central system 210, variousinfrastructure systems 220, various security systems 230, a remoteaccess interface 240, and one or more security personnel 250,communicatively connected through the network 200. It should be notedthat in other embodiments, the environment of FIG. 2 can include fewer,additional, or different components than those described herein. Each ofthe components of FIG. 2 can include one or more computer systems,custom hardware or electronic systems, or any other system configured toenable the components of FIG. 2 to perform the functions describedherein.

The environment of FIG. 2 can include any number of robots 100, forinstance 1, 2, 10, or more. For example, the environment of FIG. 2 caninclude one or more buildings, and can include one or more robots perbuilding (for instance, one robot per building floor). One or moresecurity personnel 250 (for instance, one or more robot operators) cancontrol or monitor the robots, and can adjust a robot deployment asneeded (for instance, by allocating additional robots to a buildingfloor on which a security violation is detected). It should be notedthat as used herein, “security personnel” can refer to remote or on-siterobot operators, remote or on-site security system operators (e.g.,individuals monitoring security cameras), on-site security guards,police personnel, building managers, or any other suitable individuals.

The central system 210 can be a central server or other computing systemconfigured to provide instructions to the robots, to receive informationfrom the robots, to access data corresponding to the robots or the othercomponents of FIG. 2, to display the received information or accesseddata (for instance, to a user of the central system), to perform one ormore other functions as described herein, and to provide a communicativeinterface between, via the network 200, the robots and other componentsof FIG. 2. The central system is described in greater detail below.

The infrastructure system 220 (or infrastructure systems) can includeone or more components of a building or environment in which the robots100 are located. In some embodiments, the infrastructure systems arecommunicatively coupled to the network 200 or are otherwise capable ofcommunication with the robots. Examples of system infrastructure systemsinclude smart doors and windows, elevators, routers and other networkcomponents, power systems, smart lights, smart fire alarms and othersensors, connected furnace or air conditioning systems, “Internet ofthings” or IoT systems, and the like. In some embodiments, theinfrastructure systems aren't capable of communication with via thenetwork 200 or otherwise, for instance disconnected doors and windows,disconnected elevators, thermal vents, and the like. The infrastructuresystems of FIG. 2 are described in greater detail below.

The security system 230 (or security systems) can also include one ormore security components of a building or environment in which therobots 100 are located. Examples of security systems can include camerasystems, access gates, door or window locks, audio detectors, motiondetectors, security interfaces or displays, and the like. The securitysystems can be configured to communicate with the network 200 and/orrobots, or may be disconnected systems (alarms that do not communicateand that must be manually reset). The security systems of FIG. 2 aredescribed in greater detail below.

The remote access interface 240 is a computing system, such as acomputer, a server, a phone or other mobile device, or any other systemthat enables a use to remotely access the network 200, and via thenetwork, to interact with one or more other components of theenvironment of FIG. 2. For instance, a user can remotely accessinformation via the remote access interface provided by the robots 100to the central system 210, such as a video feed captured by one or morerobots. Likewise, a user can remotely provide instructions to theinfrastructure systems 220, security systems 230, and/or the robots viathe remote access interface, for instance to investigate an unauthorizedaccess of a portion of a building, to lock doors within the vicinity ofan alarm, or to scan RFID tags for products within a portion of a store.The remote access interface can include a display for displayinginformation related to one or more components of FIG. 2, an inputmechanism for receiving interactions from a user of the remote accessinterface, and a communicate interface enabling the remote accessinterface to communicate via the network 200. It should be noted that insome embodiments, the remote access interface can be implemented withinhardware located remotely from the central system, the robots, or theother components of FIG. 2, for instance within a different building oron a different floor from the other components of FIG. 2.

The security personnel 250 can include guards located at guard stations,patrolling guards, access gate guards, or remote security personnel. Forinstance, the security personnel can include one or more robot operatorsconfigured to monitor and control the actions or movements of the robots100. Robot operators can interact with robots via the central system 210or via the remote access interface 240, and also direct other securitypersonnel as needed (for instance, by instructing security personnel toinvestigation a security violation detected by the robots).

The network 200 may be the Internet, a local area network (such as abuilding-wide or site-wide network), a wireless network, a mesh network,or any other network or combination thereof that allows communicationbetween the components of FIG. 2. The connecting network 200 may usestandard communications technologies and/or protocols, such as WiFi,Bluetooth, LTE, cellular networks, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the central system of FIG. 2, according toone embodiment. The central system 210 of FIG. 2 includes acommunication interface 310, a user interface 312, a robot interface314, an infrastructure interface 316, a security engine 318, a securitypolicy storage module 340, a semantic maps storage module 342, and aninventory storage module 344. In other embodiments, the central systemincludes fewer, additional, or different components than those describedherein.

The communication interface 310 is configured to provide a communicativeinterface between the components of the central system 210 and the othercomponents of FIG. 2. For instance, the communication interface enablesthe transfer of data between robots 100 and the central system. Thecommunication interface can provide instructions or data to one or moreinfrastructure systems, security systems, or robots, for instance inresponse to a user command or during the performance of one or moresecurity operations.

The user interface 312 is configured to enable a user of the centralsystem 210 (such as a security personnel 250 or a robot operator) tointeract with the central system. For instance, the user interface caninclude a graphical user interface (or GUI) displayed on hardwarecorresponding to the central system. The GUI can include video streamsfrom one or more security cameras; can include a location of one or morerobots 100 or objects overlaid on a map of a building, floor, or site;can include data corresponding to one or more infrastructure systems;and the like. The user interface can enable a user of the central systemto provide one or more instructions or commands or otherwise interactwith one or more components of the environment of FIG. 2, to configureor otherwise interact with one or more components of the central system,and to access and view data associated with one or more components ofthe environment of FIG. 2. The user interface, and GUIs associated withthe user interface, are described below in greater detail.

The robot interface 314 is configured to enable the central system 210(or a user of the central system) to interact with one or more robots100. For instance, the robot interface can receive data from the one ormore robots 100 via the communication interface 310 for display on theuser interface 312. The robot interface can also provide data to the oneor more robots via the communication interface, for instance in responseto a command received from a user via the user interface. The robotinterface can format data provided to and received from the robots intoa format compliant with the robots and central system, respectively. Thedata received from, the instructions provided to, and the functions ofthe robots are described below in greater detail.

The infrastructure interface 316 is configured to enable the centralsystem 210 (or a user of the central system) to interact with one ormore infrastructure systems 220 via the communication interface 310. Forinstance, the infrastructure interface can lock one or more doors withina building, can cut power to a portion of a floor, and store receivedinventory information. Likewise, the security engine 318 is configuredto enable the central system or a user of the central system to interactwith one or more security systems 230 via the communication interface.For instance, the security engine can direct video cameras to a locationwithin a building and receive footage from the cameras, can receivebadge data from badge readers, and direct security personnel 250 to abuilding portion where motion was detected. The security engine can alsoimplement one or more security policies or security operations, eitherindependently from or at the direction of a user of the central system.Security policies and operations are described below in greater detail.

The security policy storage module 340 stores one or more securitypolicies for implementation by the central system 210. A security policycan identify:

-   -   portions of a building or floor, individuals who are authorized        to access those portions, permitted times of access, and        requisite security credentials    -   times that particular doors, windows, and access gates are to be        locked and unlocked    -   routes or paths through buildings or floors for one or more        robots 100 to patrol and corresponding times for patrol    -   times of activation for security cameras, audio detectors, and        motion detectors    -   violations of security policies and the thresholds and        conditions that trigger a security policy violation    -   operations to be performed (by robots, security personnel 250,        or infrastructure or security systems) in the event of a        detected violation of a security policy    -   communications and data from the components of FIG. 2 to be        presented to a user of the central system

The semantic maps storage module 342 can store one or more semanticmaps, for instance semantic maps generated by robots 100. The userinterface 312 can access and display one or more semantic maps to a userof the central system 210, and one or more components of the centralsystem can update the displayed semantic map for subsequent storage inthe semantic maps storage module in response to receiving informationfrom one or more robots, security personnel 250, or any other componentof FIG. 2. For instance, if a semantic map indicates that a window isopen, and a robot patrolling within proximity of the window detects thatthe window has subsequently been closed, the semantic map can be updated(for instance, by the infrastructure interface 316) to reflect theclosed status of the window and the updated semantic map can be storedin the semantic maps storage module.

The inventory storage module 344 stores information associated withobjects within a building, within a floor, within a room or store, andthe like. For instance, the inventory storage module can include adatabase detailing types of inventory, stock levels associated with eachinventory type, and a location of each inventory object within abuilding. The inventory storage module can be updated, for instance, inresponse to receiving information from a robot 100 indicating that thelocation of one or more objects within a store has changed, that amissing object has been found, or that objects have been misplaced orlost. It should be noted that the inventory module can store locations,numbers, and types of objects in addition to retail objects or stock,for instance lab equipment, books or other reference materials, and thelike. The inventory storage module can additionally store a status forobjects (for instance, “misplaced”, “lost”, “stolen”, “broken”,“operational”, and the like).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the infrastructure system of FIG. 2,according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, theinfrastructure system 220 includes doors 410, windows 412, elevators414, lights 416, a network 418, sensors 420, temperature system 422,power system 424, and inventory 426. It should be noted that in otherembodiments, the infrastructure system can include additional, fewer, ordifferent components than those illustrated here.

The doors 410 and windows 412 of a building can be standard,disconnected, and/or non-electronic doors and windows. Alternatively,the doors and windows can be electronic and/or connected to otherbuilding infrastructure, for instance via the network 200. Inembodiments where the doors and windows are electronic, a user of thecentral system 210, a robot 100, or a security personnel 250 can close,open, lock, or unlock the doors and windows, for instance manually (bythe security personnel or robot) or electronically (by directlyinterfacing with the electronic subsystems of the doors and windows, orby providing instructions to the doors and windows via the network).

The elevators 414 can include one or more elevator within a building.The elevators can be connected to one or more components of theenvironment of FIG. 2, for instance the central system 210, or can bedisconnected from the components of the environment. Instructions can beprovided to the elevators, for instance by a user of the central system,a security personnel 250, or a robot 100 via the network 200 or directlyto the elevator via an elevator interface, or manually, via a physicalbutton press by the security personnel or the robot. Elevatorinstructions can include but are not limited to instructing the elevatorto go to a particular floor (such as the floor a robot is on), stoppingor disabling the elevator, opening and closing the elevator doors,controlling one or more elevator components (such as a speaker ordisplay within the elevator), and the like.

The lights 416 can include various lighting systems within a building,for instance lights within particular rooms, on particular floors, orbuilding-wide. The lights can be connected to other building systems,for instance via the network 200, and can be remotely activated ordeactivated (for instance by a user of the central system 210 or a robot100) or manually activated or deactivated (for instance by securitypersonal 250 or a robot toggling a light switch or interface).

The network 418 can include networking infrastructure within a buildingor portion of a building, or across multiple buildings or locations. Thenetwork can include standard networking systems, such as routers,switches, severs, transceivers, and the like. The network can beconnected to the other components of FIG. 2 via the network 200. A user(via the central system 210) or robot 100 can activate, de-activate,reset, or configure portions of the network. For instance, a robot, inresponse to determining that a portion of a wireless network within abuilding is currently down, can re-locate to a location within thebuilding where the wireless network is active, and can instruct thecentral system to reset network systems corresponding to thenon-functioning portion of the network.

The sensors 420 can include fire alarms, smoke detectors, carbonmonoxide detects, gas or toxin detectors, thermometers, and the like.Information from the sensors can be provided to the central system 210,for instance directly via the network 200 or via a robot 100.

The temperature system 422 can include a furnace, air conditioning unit,fans or other air flow systems, thermal ductwork and correspondingcontrol mechanisms (such as valves), and other systems associated withbuilding temperature. Instructions can be provided to the temperaturesystem, for instance from a user of the central system 210 via thenetwork 200 or from a robot 100 (either via the network or by directlyconnecting to the temperature system). Example instructions include butare not limited to lowering the temperature or raising the temperaturefor an entire building or for building portions, increasing air flow,controlling one or more duct valves, and the like. Information can alsobe received from the temperature system by the central system, a robot,or by another component of FIG. 2. Examples of such information includepower usage information, thermal information, system activity orcapacity, and the like.

The power system 424 can include power infrastructure associated with abuilding. For instance, the power system can include one or moregenerators, feeds from an external power source, solar panels, breakers,power distribution units, power lines within and external to a building,meter boxes, robot recharge stations, vehicle recharge stations, and thelike. In some embodiments, the power system is communicatively coupledto one or more components of FIG. 2, such as the central system 210, viathe network 200. In such embodiments, a user of the central system, asecurity personnel 250, and/or a robot 100 can provide instructions tothe power system via the network, for instance to deactivate a portionor all of a building's power infrastructure, to reset portions of thepower infrastructure, to reset breakers, to turn generators on or off,and the like. The power system can also provide information tocomponents of FIG. 2, for instance information detailing power usagewithin a building, within portions of a building, by components of abuilding, or information detailing power production or fuel usage bysolar panels, generators, and the like.

The inventory 426 includes objects within a building, portion of abuilding, store, room, or other area. Examples of inventor include storeinventory (objects for sale within the store), building equipment (suchas lab equipment, computer equipment, and the like), sensitive objects(such as high security objects, expensive objects, and the like),vehicles, and the like. The inventory of a building can include tags orother receivers/transmitters (such as RFID tags) that can identify theobject to which the tag is affixed to a system capable of reading thetag. Each object can include a unique identifier that is transmitted toa reader system, and, as described below, a robot 100 equipped with oneor more RFID readers can identify and locate inventory within a buildingor building portion by navigating within a proximity to thecorresponding object.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the security system of FIG. 2, according toone embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the security system 230includes cameras 510, access gates 512, locks 514, audio detectors 516,motion detectors 518, badge readers 520, aerial systems 522, andsecurity displays 524. In other embodiments, the security system caninclude additional, fewer, or different components than illustratedherein. It should be noted that while many components of the securitysystem can be disconnected from the other components of FIG. 2, theremainder of the description herein will be limited to embodiments inwhich the components of the security system can communicate via thenetwork 200 (for instance, with the central system 210 or the robots100).

The cameras 510 can be located within or external to a building, forinstance within high-trafficked passages, high-security rooms orlocations, locations corresponding to advantageous vantage points, andthe like. In some embodiments, the field of view of a camera is fixed,while in other embodiments, the cameras can rotate, pan, tilt, or trackobjects or individuals, for instance in response to an instruction froma user of the central system 210 or in response to the detection of asuspicious noise or detected motion. The cameras can record video forstorage and subsequent viewing or processing, or can stream the video tothe central system or a robot 100. In some embodiments, the cameras canidentify objects or individuals within video captured by the cameras andcan provide this information to other components of FIG. 2, while inother embodiments, the central system identifies objects or individualswithin video provided by the cameras, and provides this information toother components of the FIG. 2.

The access gates 512 can include physical barriers (such as barrierarms, walls, doors, and the like) configured to prevent or inhibit themovement of individuals, vehicles, or other objects. The access gatescan allow individuals or vehicles to pass through in response toverifying that the individuals or vehicles are authorized to pass, forinstance in response to verifying an individual's or vehicle'scredentials or access permissions. In some embodiments, a robot 100, auser of the central system 210, or the central system itself canactivate an access gate to allow or prevent individuals or vehicles frompassing through, for instance in response to an instruction from theuser or robot, or in response to a detected security violation orsuspicious activity elsewhere within a vicinity of the access gate.

The locks 514 can be located within doors, windows, cabinets, cupboards,safes, or within any other suitable building infrastructure or object.The locks can be activated or deactivated by instructions from a robot100, a user of the central system 210, or by the central system itself,for instance via the network 200. The locks can also be activated inresponse to the occurrence of a security violation or suspiciousactivity within a proximity of the locks.

The audio detector 516 is configured to detect audio signals, and toprovide information describing the detected audio to one or morecomponents of the environment of FIG. 2. Likewise, the motion detector518 is configured to detect motion within a proximity of the motiondetector, and to provide information describing the detect motion to oneor more components of the environment of FIG. 2. For example, the audiodetector can provide detected audio signals to the central system 210for analysis, and the central system can determine if the detected audiosignals are representative of a security violation. Likewise, the motiondetector can provide detected motion signals to the central system,which can determine if the detected motion signals are representative ofa security violation.

The badge readers 520 are configured to detect ID badges of individuals,to authenticate the identity, access credentials, or permissions of theindividuals. The badge readers can provide information associated withthe detected badges to components of the environment of FIG. 2, forinstance via the network 200. The badge readers can include RFIDreaders, badge scanners, or any other suitable hardware. In someembodiments, badge readers are associated with doors, access gates, andthe like such that an individual authenticated by the badge reader isgranted access to the door, access gate, and the like.

The aerial systems 522 include one or more unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) configured to fly within a space (such as a building floor,parking lot, and the like). The aerial systems can receive instructionsfrom components of FIG. 2, such as the central system 210 or a robot100. The aerial systems can be instructed to patrol a particular area,for instance in response to a detected security violation or detectedsuspicious activity. The aerial systems can include cameras, RFIDreaders, or other sensors configured to capture information detected bythe aerial systems and to provide the captured information to thecentral system, the robots, or other components of FIG. 2. Aerialsystems are described below in greater detail.

The security displays 524 are configured to display security informationto individuals, such as a security status of a building or buildingportion, indications of security violations, and access credentialsrequired to be in a particular location. The displayed securityinformation can be received from the central system 210, from a robot100, or from any other component of FIG. 2. The security displays caninclude hardware displays, and can be, for instance, tablet computers orinteractive monitors. The security displays can be mounted within wallsor other accessible locations. The security displays can receive inputsfrom individuals, for instance via a touch-screen interface of thesecurity display or via any other suitable input mechanism. Forinstance, an individual can request access to a building portion, canrequest a door be unlocked, can request authentication, and the like viathe security displays. The security displays can provide informationdescribing the received inputs to the central security system or to anyother component of FIG. 2, which in turn can perform a security actionbased on the provided information (for instance, unlocking a door orauthenticating the individual).

Mobile Robot Housing

FIG. 6A illustrates a view of a mobile robot with a removed fabricexterior, according to one embodiment. The robot 100 of FIG. 6 includesa head portion 602, a body portion 604, and a base portion 606. Therobot further includes a sensor 610 and a sensor array 612. As thefabric exterior is removed from the robot in the embodiment of FIG. 6A,the interior portion of the robot body is exposed. The robot alsoincludes coupling means 620A located around the robot head and couplingmeans 622A located around the robot base.

FIG. 6B illustrates a view of a removable fabric exterior for a mobilerobot, according to one embodiment. The fabric panel 600 includescoupling means 620B and 622B. The fabric panel also includes a topopening 624, a bottom opening 626, and a side opening 628. Thecircumference of the opening 624 corresponds to the circumference of therobot head, and the circumference of the opening 626 corresponds to thecircumference of the robot base. Accordingly, the fabric panel is atubular sock that can be stretched over and secured to the robot 100,thereby covering portions the interior of the robot. In someembodiments, the fabric panel is partially cone-shaped, with thediameter of the top opening being smaller than the diameter of thebottom opening, beneficially aiding in the placement of the fabric panelover the robot 100.

The fabric panel 600 can be made of any type of fabric material, forinstance cotton, nylon, polyester, vinyl, velvet, or any other suitableor stretchable fabric material or blend/combination thereof. Bystretching, the fabric panel of FIG. 6B can be placed over the head 602of robot 100 (and any protrusions attached to the robot head) and anyother components protruding from the robot body 604. Further, bystretching, contact made between the robot and other robots,individuals, or other objects can prevent damage to the fabric panel. Itshould be noted that in other embodiments, the fabric panel may includea material that does not significantly stretch.

The fabric panel 600 can include a fabric mesh material, allowing forthe flow of air into and out of the robot 100, beneficially enabling thecooling of components of the robot interior by allowing for the transferof heat out of the robot and through the fabric. Further, fabric may besemi-transparent or translucent, allowing for cameras, motion sensors,laser sensors, or other components within the robot to at leastpartially see through the fabric. Finally, the fabric may allow soundwaves to pass through the fabric, allowing microphones or other audiocomponents to capture sound waves passing through the fabric, andallowing speakers within the robot to transmit sound through the fabric.

The fabric panel 600 can couple to the robot 100 in a number of ways. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, coupling means 620B are configured tocouple to coupling means 620A, and coupling means 622B are configured tocouple to coupling means 622A. The coupling means 620B may be locatedaround an inside perimeter of the top of the fabric panel, and thecoupling means 622B may be located around an inside perimeter of thebottom of the fabric panel. Likewise, the coupling means 620A may belocated around an outside perimeter of the robot head 602, and thecoupling means 622A may be located around an outside perimeter of therobot base 606. In other embodiments, the coupling means of the fabricpanel and the robot may be located in different locations on the fabricpanel and the robot.

In some embodiments, the coupling means 620B and 622B include holeswithin the fabric of the fabric panel 600 and grommets located aroundthe holes. Likewise, in some embodiments, the coupling means 620A and622A include pins, latches, or other securing protrusions configured toreciprocally couple with the holes of the couplings means 620B and 622Bwhen the holes are placed over the coupling means 620A and 620B. Inother embodiments, the coupling means include buttons, zippers, Velcro,levers, buckles, or any other suitable means enabling the fabric panelto couple to the robot 100. In some embodiments, when the coupling means620B are coupled to the coupling means 620A, and when the coupling means622B are coupled to the coupling means when the fabric panel is coupledto the robot, the fabric of the panel is stretched and held in partialtension along the axis of the fabric panel from the opening 624 to theopening 626. The coupling means can be located on an inside surface ofthe fabric panel, beneficially enabling the fabric panel to couple tothe robot 100 without the coupling means being visible (e.g., thecoupling means may not include holes within the fabric panel, allowingfor a seamless/holeless fabric exterior). In some embodiments, thecoupling means include elastic bands (for instance, around an insidesurface of the fabric panel adjacent to or within a threshold distanceof the openings 624 and 626) that secure the fabric panel to the robotby tightening around reciprocal grooves within the head, body, and/orbase. Such elastic bands can beneficially improve the ease of couplingthe fabric panel to the robot, and can enable an installer to quicklyalign the fabric panel on the robot during installation by allowing theinstaller to move the fabric panel over the robot until the elasticbands snap into the reciprocal grooves.

While the fabric panel 600 covers certain sensors of the robot 100 whenthe fabric panel is coupled to the robot, such as the sensor array 612,the fabric panel can include one or more openings enabling othercomponents of the robot to be exposed/not covered by the fabric. Forexample, the opening 628 corresponds to the sensor 610 such that whenthe fabric panel is coupled to the robot, the opening 628 is securedaround the sensor 610 thereby exposing the sensor. Although only oneopening is shown within the side of the fabric panel in the embodimentof FIG. 6B, in other embodiments, any number of openings can be includedcorresponding to any number of types of components of the robot. Forinstance, the robot body 604 can include cameras or other sensors thatcan be impaired by fabric, and the fabric panel can include openings toprevent such components from being covered by the fabric.

Although the fabric panel 600 of the embodiment of FIG. 6B is shownwithout an underlying structure, in some embodiments, the fabric panelcan include a structure or skeleton to preserve the form or shape of thefabric panel. For instance, the fabric panel can include a first ringcomponent along an inside perimeter of the opening 624 and a second ringcomponent along an inside perimeter of the opening 626. The structure orskeleton of the fabric panel in such embodiments can be rigid orflexible.

In some embodiments, instead of one fabric panel 600 that secures aroundan entire exterior of the body 604 of the robot 100, several fabricpanels can each be secured to a portion of a robot exterior. Forinstance, a first panel can secure to a left side exterior of the robotand a second panel can secure to a right side exterior of the robot. Insuch embodiments, each fabric panel can include an outside ringstructure located around an outside perimeter of the panel.

The fabric panel 600 illustrated in FIG. 6B and described herein can becoupled to the robot 100 and subsequently removed from the robot. Suchembodiments beneficially allow for the efficient and low-costreplacement of fabric panels, for instance in the event that the fabricpanels get torn or damaged. Further, implementing removable fabricpanels in covering the exterior of the robot allows for the branding orconfiguration of the fabric panels in a color, pattern, or including alogo customized by an owner or user of the robot. However, it should benoted that while removable fabric panels are described herein, in someembodiments, the fabric panels are fixedly coupled to the robot in amore-permanent fashion. It should also be noted that although fabricpanels are described herein, in other embodiments, robots can havesolid/rigid outer housings and perform the functions described herein.

Mobile Robot Architecture

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile robot architecture,according to one embodiment. The robot 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 7includes a navigation system 710, a power system 712, a communicationinterface 714, various indicators 716, a user interface 718, a display720, one or more cameras 722, an audio system 724, various scanners 726,a pressure sensor system 728, one or more reader antennas 730, one ormore direction of arrival (or DoA) antennas 732, a security system 734,a semantic mapping system 736, an RFID system 738, and one or more arms740. It should be noted that in other embodiments, a mobile robot 100can include fewer, additional, or different components than thoseillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 7. For instance, the robot 100 caninclude one or more hardware processors or controllers configured toperform various functionalities described herein.

The navigation system 710 is configured to move the robot 100 around aspace, such as a store, a room, a floor, a building, a parking lot, orany indoor or outdoor space. The navigation system can include a motor(such as an electric motor), an engine, or any other systems capable ofmoving the robot. The navigation system can also include wheels,rollers, and the like configured to enable the robot to smoothly move.The navigation system can move the robot in a number of directions, forinstance, forwards, backwards, or sideways. In some embodiments, thebase of the robot is holonomic, enabling the robot to move in anydirection. In some embodiments, the navigation system can rotate therobot clockwise or counterclockwise, for instance as much as 360degrees. In some embodiments, the navigation system can turn the robotin place, without requiring a significant (if any) turn radius.

The navigation system 710 can move the robot 100 in response toreceiving navigation instructions, for instance from a user of thecentral system 210, from a security personnel 250, or from anotherrobot. In some embodiments, the navigation system moves the robot aspart of a patrol, routine, or security protocol. Navigation instructionscan include an end location and can determine a route from a currentlocation of the robot to the end location, for instance by detectingobstacles and/or paths from the current location to the end location, byselecting a path based on the detected obstacles and paths, and bymoving the robot along the selected path until the robot arrives at theend location. In some embodiments, the navigation instructions caninclude a path, an ordered set of locations, an objective (e.g., “patrolthe 4^(th) floor”), or a map, and the navigation system can move therobot based on the navigation instructions.

The power system 712 can include a power source, such as a battery,fuel, solar panels, or any other suitable source of power storage. Thepower system can provide power to the other components of the robot 100,such as the navigation system 710. The power system can also include arecharging system, for instance a plug/socket or other recharginginterface. In some embodiments, the robot can navigate to a rechargestation and can electrically couple the recharging system to therecharge station, enabling the recharge station to refill the powersource of the power system. For example, the recharging system of therobot can include a socket within the robot protected by a pivotingdoor, and the recharge station can include a plug component. In suchembodiments, the robot can navigate to the recharge station and canalign the pivoting door with the plug component. The robot can then movetowards the plug component such that the plug component pushes thepivoting door inward into the robot, and such that the plug component isinserted into the socket. The plug component can provide power to thepower source via the socket. The power system can further includeinfrastructure electrically coupling the power system to the recharginginterface and the other components of the robot.

The communication interface 714 can communicatively couple the robot 100to other components of the environment of FIG. 2, such as the centralsystem 210 or other robots, either directly or via the network 200. Forinstance, the communication interface can include receivers,transmitters, wireless controllers, and the like, and can receiveinformation from and transmit information to and between components ofFIG. 2 and other components of the robot. Examples of communicationprotocols implemented by the communication interface include WiFi,Bluetooth, Zigbee, 3G/4G, LTE, or any other suitable communicationprotocol. The communication interface can provide video captured by thecameras to an external monitor, or can receive instructions from anoperator (for instance, via the central system).

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can choose to transmit informationvia the communication interface 714 based on a communicative status ofthe robot. For instance, in embodiments where the robot is patrolling aroute within a building, the robot can transmit video and audio datacaptured during the patrol when the communication interface is coupledto the network 200 via a WiFi connection. In some embodiments, if theWiFi connection is lost, the robot can communicatively couple to thenetwork via a secondary connection, such as an LTE connection. In suchembodiments, the robot can modify the data sent via the communicationinterface before transmitting, for instance by transmitting only audiodata, by performing lossy compression on the video before transmitting,by reducing the frame rate or resolution of the video beforetransmitting, by transmitting select images instead of video, bytransmitting video data corresponding only to key events (such as videoof a suspected unauthorized individual), by transmitting full-resolutionvideo based on features within the video (such as faces) andlow-resolution video otherwise, and the like. In the event of a totaldisconnection from the network, the robot can store information forsubsequent transmission (for instance, when the communication interfaceis coupled to the network via WiFi or when the robot is docked at acharge station). Likewise, the robot can select data to transmit or canperform compression operations on the data before transmission if thebandwidth available to the robot falls before a threshold required tostream the data in real-time or other threshold. In some embodiments,the robot can store all detected information and data, for instance atfull-resolution, for a set amount of time, until the robot's availablestorage capacity falls below a threshold, until the data is transmitted,until an operator instructs the robot to delete the data, or until anyother suitable criteria is satisfied.

The indicators 716 can include visual indicators (such as LEDs or otherlights), audio indicators, haptic indicators, vibration components, andthe like. The indicators are configured to communicate information or astatus associated with the robot 100 to an entity external to the robot,such as a user or individual. For instance, the indicators can include aring of LEDs around a top surface of the robot that indicate a directionof movement of the robot. Likewise, LEDs can function as a turn signal,indicating a future direction change of the robot. The robot can alsodisplay emoji or other indicators of emotion, can display textidentifying a status or current operation of the robot (e.g.,“patrolling”, “security alert”, “danger alert”, “intruder nearby”, etc.)In some embodiments, lights or LEDs on the robot can change color toindicate a status of the robot (for instance, LED indicators can begreen to indicate that the robot is available to assist customers, canbe blue to indicate that the robot is busy performing a task, or can bered to indicate that the robot has detected a violation of a securitypolicy). The robot also includes a hardware display 720 (such as amonitor or screen) configured to communicate information associated withthe robot. For instance, the hardware display can display a map, images,a request (e.g., the text “How can I help you today?”), or any othersuitable information. In embodiments where the hardware display is atouch-screen display, a user can interact with the displayedinformation, for instance to get additional information, to configurethe display of information, to instruct the robot to perform anoperation, and the like.

The robot 100 includes a user interface 718 configured to displayinformation to an individual or user, for instance in response to areceived request. In some embodiments, the user interface displays agraphic user interface (“GUI”) including the information, for instanceon the hardware display 720 or via the indicators 716. The GUI candisplay information detailing a status of the robot, informationrequesting credentials or other information from an individual,information providing instructions to a user (e.g., “follow me”),information associated with an environment or building in which therobot is located (e.g., store or product information), or any othersuitable type of information. The user interface can also includeinfrastructure to enable a user or individual to interface with therobot. For instance, the user interface can include a keyboard orkeyboard, one or more buttons or dials, a mouse, motion/gesturedetection capabilities, and the like. In some embodiments, the userinterface includes the hardware display, and the hardware display is atouch-sensitive display configured to receive inputs from an individual.Inputs received via the user interface can be provided to one or moreother components of the robot, can configure the robot to performvarious functions or to operate in various modes, and the like. In someembodiments, the user interface further configures a voice recognitionengine configured to recognize a user's voice, enabling a user to speakto the robot (for instance, to request information, to command the robotto perform an security operation, or the like).

The cameras 722 can include any number of cameras or camera arrays. Forexample, the cameras can include cameras configured to capture images orvideos directly or a distance in front of the robot, to the sides of therobot, behind the robot, or above the robot. In some embodiments, thecameras can move, pivot, tilt, pan, or rotate, for instance in responseto a change in motion by the robot, in response to an instructionreceived by the robot, in response to detecting an object within aproximity of the robot, or in response to the performance of a securityor other function by the robot.

The cameras 722 can capture images and video at any suitable resolutionor frame rate. In some embodiments, an array of fixed cameras cancapture video 360 degree video around the robot 100, while in otherembodiments, one or more cameras can rotate around a central axis of therobot to capture 360 degree video. In some embodiments, camera pairs cancapture 3D video, and in some embodiments, images or video captured bymultiple cameras can be stitched together using one or more stitchingoperations to produce a stitched image or video. In addition tocapturing images or video in the visible light spectrum, the cameras cancapture images within the IR spectrum or can capture thermal images.Images and videos captured by the cameras can be provided to one or moreother components of the environment of FIG. 2, for instance the centralsystem 210 via the communication interface 714 and the network 200,beneficially enabling a remote operator of the robot to see thesurroundings of the robot.

The audio system 724 can include components to capture and emit audiosignals. For instance, the audio system can include one or moremicrophones configured to capture audio signals, such as audio signalsthat pass through the fabric panel 600 of the robot 100. Likewise, theaudio system can include speakers configured to playback audio or soundto individuals within a proximity of the robot. In some embodiments,audio captured by the audio system can be provided to a component ofFIG. 2, such as the central system 210 via the network 200 and thecommunication interface 714, beneficially enabling a remote operator ofthe robot to hear audio occurring within a proximity of the robot.Likewise, audio can be received by the audio system from an externalentity for playback by the audio system, for instance voice commandsfrom an operator of the robot to an individual within a proximity of therobot.

The scanners 726 can detect objects, obstacles, paths, or individualswithin a proximity of the robot 100. Examples of scanners include laserscanners or rangefinders, radar, sonar, ultrasonic sensors, motiondetectors, 3D depth sensors, thermal scanners, infrared or ultravioletscanners, and the like. One or more scanners can be located near a baseof the robot, for instance to identify objects that might obstruct ordisrupt movement of the robot. One or more scanners can be located neara top of the robot, for instance to identify the immediate surroundingsof the robot, beneficially enabling the robot to “see” over objects thatmight otherwise obstruct the viewpoint of scanners located near the baseof the robot. In addition to detecting obstacles, objects, andindividuals, the scanners can track moving objects or individuals, forinstance to follow the movement of suspicious individuals. In someembodiments, information captured by the scanners is used by thenavigation system when selecting a path of motion for the robot.Likewise, information captured by the scanners can be used by orprovided to other components of the robot or an entity external to therobot (such as a component of FIG. 2), for instance via thecommunication interface 714.

The pressure sensor 728 can include a pressurized tube located around abase of the robot 100, and can detect objects or other obstructionswithin an immediate proximity of the robot in response to adetermination that the robot has run into the object or obstruction. Forinstance, a robot can move down a hallway, and can inadvertently runinto an individual's foot. In response to the contact with the user'sfoot, the pressure inside the tube increases, and the pressure sensorcan detect the increase in pressure and determine that the robot hasmade contact with an obstruction.

In response to a detected increase in pressure within the pressurizedtube, the pressure sensor 728 can determine that the robot 100 has comeinto contact with an obstruction, and can slow or stop the motion of therobot, for instance by instructing the navigation unit 710. The pressuresensor can determine the direction of the obstruction based on thecurrent direction the robot was moving at the time of the detectedpressure increase. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor includes aprotective outer housing that, upon contact with an obstruction, exertsa reciprocal pressure on the pressurized tube for detection by thepressure sensor. The pressure sensor enables the robot to immediatelydetect contact with an obstruction and adjust a trajectory or movementof the robot, beneficially reducing the risk that the contact can causedamage or harm to the robot, an object, or an individual.

In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 728 can measure an amount ofpressure exerted upon the pressurized tube. In such embodiments, therobot 100 can use the pressure sensor to apply an amount of force uponan object. For example, the robot may want to gently push open a door,and can move into the door until the pressure sensor detects that tenpounds of pressure are being exerted upon the pressurized tube. Bymeasuring the amount of force applied by the robot onto an object usingthe pressure sensor, the robot can beneficially limit the amount offorce applied to the object in order to reduce the risk that theapplication of force by the robot damages the object.

The robot 100 can include one or more reader antennas 730 configured toreceive signals from entities external the robot (such as components ofthe environment of FIG. 2). The reader antennas can include any type ofantenna, such as an RFID reader antenna, WiFi antennas, radio antennas,and the like. The robot can also include one or more DoA antennas 732configured to determine a direction from which a signal is received. Thereader antennas and the DoA antennas can be part of the communicationinterface 714, and information captured by the reader antennas and theDoA antennas can be provided to one or more components of the robot, orone or more entities external the robot (such as the central system210). The capture of RFID signals and the determination of an angle ordirection from which the captured RFID signals are received aredescribed below in greater detail.

The security system 734 configures the robot 100 to perform one or moresecurity operations. For instance, the security system can configure therobot to investigation a suspicious sound, to obstruct the movement ofan unidentified individual, or patrol a portion of a building. Thesecurity system can instruct other components of the robot during theperformance of security operations, for instance by capturing video ofan unidentified user using the cameras 722. The security system canreceive instructions to perform the one or more security operations,and/or can receive information associated with one or more securityprotocols via an external source, such as the central system 210 or thesecurity system 230. Likewise, the security system can provideinformation associated with the context, surroundings, or activity ofthe robot, or information associated with the performance of a securityoperation to an entity external to the robot. The security operationsperformed by the security system are described in greater detail below.

The semantic mapping system 736 is configured to generate or update asemantic map associated with a location or setting in which the robot100 is located. For instance, the semantic mapping system can generate amap associated with a patrol route through a building floor as the robotmoves through the space. The location of obstructions, and paths withinthe building floor can be detected by the scanners 726 and recorded ontothe semantic map. Likewise, objects can be detected during the robot'smovement (for instance, by the cameras 722), and information describingthe detected objects and the location of the detected objects can beincluded within a semantic map. Semantic maps generated or updated bythe semantic mapping system can be provided to an entity external to therobot, for instance the central system 210, for storage and/orsubsequent use. The generation of semantic maps by the semantic mappingsystem is discussed in greater detail below.

The RFID system 738 can identify RFID tags within a space anddetermination the location of the identified RFID tags. For instance,for store inventory objects, each tagged with an RFID tag, the RFIDsystem can, during the course of movement within a proximity of theobjects, detect the presence and location of the RFID tag (and thus, theobject to which the RFID tag is coupled). The detected RFID tags andcorresponding objects can be mapped onto a semantic map, and/orinformation associated with the detected RFID tags and the locationsthereof can be provided to an entity external to the robot 100, such asthe central system 210, for subsequent storage. In some embodiments, theRFID system can include short-range RFID readers capable of reading LFRFID or HF RFID tags from within a threshold distance, while in otherembodiments, the RFID system can include long-range RFID readers capableof reading UHF RFID tags from greater than the threshold distance awaybut within a greater, second threshold distance. It should be noted thatthe RFID system can also read other types of tags according to theprinciples described herein, including NFC tags or devices, BLE tags ordevices, and the like. The RFID system is described below in greaterdetail.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of an example mobile robot and various robotcomponents, according to one embodiment. The robot of FIG. 8 includes ahead 602, a body 604, and a base 606. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, thehead can rotate relative to the body without otherwise requiringrotation or movement by the robot via the head rotation engine 820.Enabling the head to rotate independently of the rest of the robot canbeneficially enable the robot to rotate components coupled to the head,such as the camera/IR array 720A, the 360 degree camera array 720B, andthe touch screen display 802. In other words, by rotating the head, thecameras and display of the robot of FIG. 8 can face differentdirections, allowing the cameras to capture video from a different fieldof view and allowing the robot to turn the touch screen display suchthat it faces an individual within a proximity of the robot.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the body 604 of the robot 100 can similarlyrotate relative to the base 608 via the body rotation engine 822.Enabling the body 604 to rotate independently of the base canbeneficially enable components coupled to the body to rotate, such asthe close range RFID antenna array 804, the long range RFID antennaarray 806, and the microphone array 810. In such embodiments, theantenna and microphone arrays can capture or detect signals fromdifferent directions, beneficially enabling the robot to optimize theangle of the antenna and microphone arrays relative to the signalscaptured or detected.

The base 608 of the robot 100 can similarly rotate, for instance usingthe navigation system 710. Rotating the base beneficially enables therobot to face different directions, to adjust an angle or trajectory ofthe robot, and the like. Likewise, rotating the base also rotates thelaser scanners 812, beneficially enabling the laser scanners to scan indifferent directions. It should be noted that in some embodiments, thebase can rotate while the body and 604 and head 602 of the robot do notrotate. For instance, the base can rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise,and the body can synchronously rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise,resulting in a rotation of the base 90 degrees relative to the floorwithout the rotation of the body and head relative to the floor.

The robot 100 can also include additional components not illustrated inthe embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8. For instance, the robot can includeone or more projectors configured to project an image onto a floor orsurface within a proximity of the robot. For example, the projectors canproject a navigation symbol (such as an arrow) onto the floor toindicate to a user that the user should proceed in a particulardirection indicated by the navigation symbol. Likewise, the projectorcan indicate a status or instruction, for instance instructing anindividual to present a badge, presenting an indication that the userwas authenticated or that the authentication failed, instructing theindividual to stop moving, asking the individual if they needassistance, highlighting a requested product or object, and the like.The projectors can further project text, pictures, or icons associatedwith the robot or security information. For example, if a robot isguarding a passageway to prevent unauthorized users from entering thepassageway, the robot can project a stop sign along with text indicatingthat the passageway is closed. The robot can also include a laserpointer, for instance to indicate a location of a product within astore.

The robot 100 can include one or more arms 740 for interacting withobjects or individuals within a proximity of the robot. The arm can bean extendable boom arm, for instance that folds up against or retractsinto the robot body when not in use. The robot arms can be used forinstance to receive an object from or present an object to anindividual, to press an elevator button, to move an object, to open orclose windows or doors, to lock or unlock windows or doors, and thelike. In some embodiments, a robot arm can include a camera, RFIDreader, or other sensor. In such embodiments, the robot arm can bepositioned or extended in order to provide a better position or vantagepoint for the camera, RFID reader, or other sensor. For example, anextendable robot arm equipped with a camera can be extended to capturevideo on the other side of an obstruction or wall, or to capture videoof an area or crowd from a better vantage point. In embodiments where arobot arm is extended, the robot may reposition or balance itself tocompensate for the shift in the center of gravity of the robot, forinstance using inertial sensors (such as 3-axis gyroscopes,accelerometers, or magnetometers).

The robot 100 can also include one or more of: a spotlight or otherlighting system for illuminating a room or area, strobe lights or otherflashing lights to ward off intruders or otherwise deter particularbehaviors of individuals, GPS receivers, sirens or alarms (which may beincluded within the audio system 724), beacon components configured toalert other robots, non-lethal deterrent components (such as tasers,tranquilizers, nets, tear gas, and the like), force or torque sensors(to detect the position and strength of contact between the robot andthe environment or individuals within a proximity of the robot),civilian or police radios, fire extinguishers, emergency/assistancebuttons or other interfaces (that enable users to call for help),emergency stop buttons or other interfaces (that enable users toimmediately stop the movement of the robot), temperature sensors, lightsensors, chemical/gas sensors, actuators configured to move any othercomponents of the robot, or any other suitable components.

It should also be noted that the robot 100 includes component necessaryto communicatively couple and control the components of the robot,including but not limited to: on-board computers, controllers, andprocessors; electric circuitry (e.g., motor drivers); computer memory;storage media (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums,such as flash memory, hard drives, and the like); communication buses;cooling or heat dissipation systems; and the like.

Security Functions

As illustrated in the environment of FIG. 2, a set (or fleet) of robotscan be deployed within a particular space, such as a building, abuilding floor, a campus, and the like. The set of robots 100 can becontrolled by one or more robot operators, for via the central system210 or the remote access interface 240, and can perform various securityoperations, for instance to augment existing security systems. Forinstance, an operator can directly instruct robots to perform varioussecurity operations via the robot interface 314 of the central system,or can implement one or more security protocols that include theperformance of security operations by robots via the security engine318. Likewise, a robot can perform one or more security operations, forinstance in response to receiving an instruction from an operator orfrom the central system. A robot can receive instructions to performsecurity operations from the security system 734, for instanceautonomously (without explicit instructions from an operator or otherexternal entity) during the normal course of operations, for instance aspart of a patrol routine, or in response to detecting suspiciousactivity or other circumstances that trigger one or more criteria forperforming security operations.

The security operations described below can be combined with additionalsecurity operations. For instance, during the performance of any of thesecurity operations below, a robot 100 can perform one or more of thefollowing operations: warning one or more individuals, obstructing themovement of one or more individuals, reporting individuals or suspiciousactivity to an operator or security personnel 250, reporting securityviolations or object/infrastructure status to an operator or securitypersonnel, recording or streaming video to an operator or externalentity, locking doors or windows, sounding or triggering an alarm,calling the police or fire department, using non-lethal force toincapacitate an individual, querying one or more database to identify anindividual or object, disabling a network or power to a portion of abuilding, summoning additional robots to assist with the performance ofsecurity operations, tracking or following an object or individual,displaying a status or information associated with security or detectedactivity, requesting information or credentials from individuals, andthe like.

As used herein, “suspicious activity” can refer to the identification ofan unknown individual, an unauthorized individual, an individualperforming an unauthorized or unusual activity, movement in areas or attimes when movement is not expected, unusual network activity, sound inareas where sound is not expected, types of sound associated withsecurity risks, objects in unexpected or unauthorized locations,unlocked or open doors or windows at unauthorized times, or any otheractivity associated with a potential security risk or threat orcombination thereof.

Further, as used herein, “boundary” can refer to a perimeter of an areainto which an unauthorized individual is not permitted to enter.Accordingly, the crossing of a boundary by an unauthorized individualmay be considered to be a security violation, and the robot 100 canperform one or more security operations in response. Boundaries can bepredetermined (e.g., associated with pre-defined areas, for instance ofa floor or building), can be permanent or temporary (e.g., can exist forparticular time period or during a security event or mode), can belearned by the robot based on behaviors of individuals or based onboundaries defined in similar locations, or can be defined by users,operators, or security personnel 250. For instance, a security guard candrive a line on the ground using a laser pointer, and the robot candetect the line and establish the line as a boundary for the purposes ofimplementing a security policy or performing one or more securityoperations.

A. Patrolling

The robot 100 can perform a security patrol, for instance within abuilding or building portion, within a parking lot or other outsidearea, within a shopping mall or store, or within any other suitablelocation or premises. The path of a patrolling robot can bepredetermined (e.g., based on pre-selected patrol routes defined by asecurity policy), or can be dynamic (e.g., based on detected suspiciousactivity, based on how recently an area was patrolled, based on asensitivity or security associated with any area, based on aviewpoint/vantage point of an area, or based on any other securitycriteria). The path of a patrolling robot can also be determined forunknown or unmapped areas, for instance by determining a series ofwaypoints for the robot to follow, by scanning the area to identifynearby paths and obstacles, and by selecting additional waypoints basedon the identified paths and obstacles.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 patrols a route periodically, rotatesbetween multiple routes, or selects routes to rotate based on a securitylevel associated with a route or area associated with a route. A routecan also be selected based on a time of day, a history of suspiciousactivity or security violations associated with the route, based on acurrent security status or violation associated with a route orlocation, or based on any other suitable criteria. In some embodiments,a route is selected based on a proximity to a recharge station or basedon an amount of available power to the robot. In some embodiments, arobot can pause patrolling a patrol route when the amount of poweravailable to the robot falls below a threshold amount of power, canrecharge at a nearby recharge station, and can continue patrolling thepatrol route after recharged. In embodiments where the patrol routecannot be paused (for instance, when suspicious activity is detected),the robot can communicate with the central system 210 to locate anotherrobot with sufficient charge to perform the patrol. Patrol routes can berandomly selected, for instance to increase the unpredictability of apatrolling robot for a potential unauthorized individual. A patrol routecan also be manually selected by an operator of the robot (for instance,the operator can control the path of the robot in real time using acontrol mechanism).

In some embodiments, robots 100 generate maps as they patrol an area,while in other embodiments, robots access previously generated maps foruse in identifying a patrol route. While patrolling, the robot canupdate a map to identify a route patrolled by the robot, beneficiallyenabling a robot operator to see the path of the robot. In someembodiments, if a path is blocked for a robot patrolling along apredetermined route, the robot can use a previously generated map toidentify an alternative route to bypass the blocked path and to continueon the patrol route (for instance, a shortest alternative route). Therobot can update a map to include a location of an obstructed path, toinclude a location of identified objects or individuals, or to includeany other information associated with the patrol route.

While patrolling, the robot 100 can identify suspicious activity, canidentify individuals or objects in proximity of the patrol route, andcan identify a status of objects or systems along the patrol route. Forinstance, the robot can identifying suspicious sounds or motion, candetermine a location of the identified sounds or motion, and can reportthe sounds or motion to an external entity (such as the central system210 or security personnel 250). Likewise, the robot can identify objectsand object types while patrolling, and can store or provide the locationof the identified objects to an external entity, for instance, inconjunction with a map of the route.

While patrolling, the robot 100 can perform one or more securityoperations in response to identifying suspicious activity or a securitythreat. For instance, a robot can flag the location of the identifiedactivity or threat, can inform an external entity of the identifieractivity or threat, or can perform any other security operationdescribed herein. FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a process forpatrolling an area by a robot, according to one embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 9, a robot moves 900 along a selected patrol path. Anindividual is identified 905 in proximity to the path, and the securityrestrictions associated with the location of the individual aredetermined 910. For instance, the area can be restricted to individualswith particular security credentials, or can be off-limits for allindividuals (for instance, during nighttime hours).

The robot 100 can approach the individual, and can request securitycredentials for the individual. Alternatively, the robot can remotelyscan an RFID badge of the individual to determine the user's securitycredentials. The robot can determine 915 if the individual is authorizedto be in the location based on the determined security credentials andbased on the security restrictions associated with the location. In theevent that the individual is not authorized to be in the location, therobot can perform 920 a security action. For example, the robot canalert security personnel, follow and monitor the individual, emit asiren, obstruct the movement of the individual, and the like. After thesecurity incident has been resolved (e.g., the individual has left orbeen apprehended), the robot can continue with the patrol, or can returnto a charging station.

B. Video Recording/Streaming

As noted above, the cameras 722 of the robot 100 can capture, record,and stream images and video. Captured images and video can be stored atthe robot for subsequent uploading to an external entity (for instance,in the event that the robot is out of range or unable to connect to thenetwork 200). Likewise, captured images and video can be streamed to anexternal entity (such as the central system 210) for storage or viewingby an operator or other user. In some embodiments, the robot storesvideo for periodic upload (e.g., once a day or once an hour), for timeswhen the robot is charging at a charge station, or during any othersuitable times. Video captured by one or more robots can be synchronizedby the central system 210, and can be further synchronized with othervideo (such as video captured by one or more security cameras) and/orother security information (such as identities of individuals identifiedwithin the video or located within an area associated with the video)for subsequent synchronized playback to a user.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can stream video constantly (forinstance, during all times of operation). The robot can also captureand/or stream video selectively, for instance in response to beinginstructed by the central system 210 or an operator. In someembodiments, the robot captures and streams video in response to one ormore criteria being satisfied. Examples of such criteria include:detected movement, suspicious activity (e.g., an unidentified individualor an individual performing an unauthorized action), detected sound whenno sound is expected (e.g., during night time operation), suspicioussound (e.g., broken glass), in response to a security incident detectedby the robot or other robots, in response to the implementation one ormore security policies, or based on any other suitable criteria. In someembodiments, the robot can provide images to the central system duringnormal operation, and can provide video to the central system only inresponse to the detection of a security anomaly, in response to arequest or instruction from an operator, or in response to any othersuitable criteria.

C. Individual/Group Monitoring

The robot 100 can be configured to detect and identify individuals. Forinstance, the robot can capture images or videos of the individualsusing the cameras 722, and can perform facial recognition on thecaptured images or videos. Likewise, the robot can identify a height orsize of the individual, or can scan a badge of the individual (forinstance, using an RFID reader). Individuals can be identified bycomparing detected characteristics of the individuals with an identitydatabase. For instance, an image of a detected face can be comparedagainst a database of detected facial characteristics associated withindividual identities to identify an individual. The identity databasecan be local (e.g., a database of a building's occupants or company'semployees), or can global (e.g., a police database of known criminals).The identity database can also include identities of individuals notpermitted to be in a particular area (such as a blacklist).

The robot 100 can take various actions in response to identifying anindividual. For instance, if a robot detects an individual, identifiesthe individual, and determines that the individual is authorized to beat the detected location (e.g., the individual is an employee of acompany associated with the building in which the robot is located),then the robot can log the detection and identification of theindividual with no further action. On the other hand, if the robotdetermines that the identified individual is not authorized to be in aparticular location (e.g., the individual is an employee of the company,but is in an off-limits area of the company's building), the robot canwarn the individual, can instruct the individual to leave the area, canobstruct the individual, can lock nearby doors, can trigger an alarm,can call other robots or security personnel 250 to investigate orintercept the individual, or can perform any other suitable securityoperation. Likewise, the robot can perform one or more of the securityactions described herein in response to being unable to identify theindividual.

The robot 100 can monitor multiple individuals. For instance, the robotcan identify one or more individuals in a group of individuals, and cantrack the identified individuals within the group. In some embodiments,the robot can monitor very large groups, such as crowds at a conferenceor concert. The robot can monitor statistics associated with the group,for instance to determine a number of individuals within the group, todetermine an approximate size or floor space required by the group, andto monitor objects carried by or associated with the group. In someembodiments, the robot can determine and monitor a mood of the group,for instance by determining if the group is angry and/or violent orlikely to become violent (based on words spoken by members of the groupassociated with anger or violence, based on detected actions performedby members of the group associated with anger or violence, and thelike). The robot can perform one or more security operations in responseto monitoring the group, for instance by notifying security personnel250 if the group becomes violent, by activating fire sprinklers or othergroup deterrents, band the like. Beneficially, the monitoring ofindividuals, for instance in an area, can be used by building plannersto provide insight into the movement of people in the area for thepurposes of space planning.

D. Motion Detection and Action Recognition

The robot 100 can detect motion within a proximity of the robot, forinstance using the cameras 722 or using a dedicated motion detectionsensor. One or more actions can be taken based on the detected motion.For instance, if the motion is detected in an area where no motion isexpected (such as a secure room, a building during off-hours, or thelike), the robot can notify security personnel 250, can interact with abuilding in which the robot is located (for instance, to lock nearbydoors), or can investigate further. In some embodiments, the robot candetermine if the detected motion is associated with an individual or isassociated with an object (such as wind blowing papers off a desk), andone or more security actions can be taken in response to thedetermination.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can identify an action associatedwith a detected movement, for instance if the detected movement isdetermined to be associated with the individual. For example, the robotcan determine if the individual is running, walking, standing, carryingan object, holding a gun, attempting to access a location (e.g., tryingto open a door or pass through a security gate), interacting with anobject (such as a control panel or a desk drawer), taking a picture orrecording video, placing an object (such as an item for sale within astore, or paperwork located on a desk) in a pocket or bag, and the like.The action can be identified by comparing information about the detectedmovement with a database of detected movements and corresponding actionidentifiers. The robot can perform one or more security operations basedon the identified action. For instance, if an individual is running inan area with dangerous equipment, the robot can instruct the individualto slow down. Likewise, if an individual is holding a gun, the robot canattempt to obstruct the individual.

E. Object Recognition

The robot 100 can detect objects within a proximity of the robot, forinstance by capturing images of the objects and analyzing the images toidentify the objects within the images. The robot can perform one ormore security operations in response to the detected objects. Forinstance, in the event that an object is not in a location it issupposed to be in, the robot can relocate the object or can alertsecurity personnel of the location of the object. Likewise, in the eventthat an object is broken or malfunctioning (such as an overflowingsink), the robot can attempt the repair the object, or can notifysecurity personnel of the object.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can detect license plates within aparking garage or parking lot, and can flag license plates of vehiclesthat are not authorized to be in the parking garage or lot. Forinstance, a robot, during the course of a patrol of a parking garage,can scan the location of every license plate in the garage, can query adatabase of authorized license plates, and can flag scanned licenseplates that are not included within the database. The robot can theninform security personnel 250 of the unauthorized vehicle, can move to alocation blocking the vehicle from moving, or can attach a wheel lock toone or more of the vehicle's wheels.

F. Escorting, Following, Observing, and Access Control

The robot 100 can escort one or more individuals located within aproximity of the robot to a new location. For instance, an individualcan be authorized to be in a first portion of a building but not asecond portion (such as a contract worker, an external maintenanceindividual, or an employee with limited security credentials). In suchembodiments, the robot can escort the individual from one location toanother location in order to ensure that the individual does not crossinto an area the user is not authorized to be. For example, amaintenance worker can be working to repair networking equipment and mayhave to use the restroom. In such embodiments, the worker can inform therobot of the need to visit the restroom, and the robot, in response, canidentify the location of the restroom to the worker, can project a pathon the ground to the restroom, can project boundaries on the ground thatthe worker is not allowed to cross, can warn the worker if the workercrosses the boundary, can instruct the user to “follow me”, can waitwhile the worker uses the restroom, and can escort the worker back tothe location of the networking equipment. In some embodiments, the robotcan escort an individual for the entire time a worker is within abuilding or location, while in other embodiments, the robot can escortan individual between locations.

The robot 100 can also follow detected individuals, for instance closely(within a threshold distance) or from a distance (greater than athreshold distance). For instance, if an individual is detected within abuilding, and the robot is unable to verify the identity of theindividual, the robot can follow the individual until the identity ofthe individual is verified, until security personnel 250 arrive, oruntil the individual leaves the building. It should be noted thatescorting and following individuals for extended periods of time can beparticularly tedious for humans to perform, and so implementing one ormore robots to perform such tasks can free up humans for other tasksthat robots are unable to perform. Further, by following or escorting anindividual, the robot 100 can beneficially act as a deterrent forunauthorized behavior by the individual.

In some embodiments, individuals can be followed, escorted, and trackedby the robot 100 by performing facial detection on the individuals toverify that the correct individual is being followed, escorted, ortracked. The location of individuals being followed, escorted, ortracked can be monitored by the robot, can be provided to an externalentity (such as the central system 210), or can be updated on a map ofthe area or building (for instance, in real-time). In addition, therobot can provide information to the individual, for instance inresponse to request from the individual.

In the event that an identified individual being followed, escorted, ortracked performs an unauthorized action or commits a security violation,the robot 100 can perform one or more security operations in response.FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a process for monitoring themovement of an individual, according to one embodiment. An individual isidentified 1000 by the robot. A boundary associated with an area thatthe individual is not allowed to access is identified 1005. Forinstance, if a user is permitted to be in a first portion of a room butnot a second portion, the robot can determine that a boundary existsaround the portion of the room that the individual is not allowed toaccess.

In response to the individual moving 1010 within a threshold distance ofthe identified boundary, the robot 100 can perform a preliminarysecurity operation. For instance, the robot can move to intercept theindividual to obstruct and prevent the individual from crossing theboundary. Likewise, the robot can issue a warning to the individual, canproject the boundary on the ground to inform the individual of the areathat individual cannot cross, and can inform necessary securitypersonnel of the potential security violation. In response to theindividual crossing the boundary, the robot can perform 1015 an enhancedsecurity operation. For instance, the robot can emit a siren, canrequest the presence of security personnel, can call the police, or canlock nearby doors. In some embodiments, in response to notifyingsecurity personnel or an operator of the proximity of the individual tothe boundary, or the crossing of the boundary by the individual, therobot can receive authorization for the individual to cross theboundary, and the robot can permit the individual to continue withoutperforming further security operations. It should be emphasized that insome embodiments, the robot may perform an enhanced security operationin response to the individual moving within the threshold distance ofthe boundary, or may not perform a security operation until theindividual crosses the boundary.

In addition, a robot 100 can act as a sentry to control access to aparticular area, a building portion, a room, a doorway, a hallway, afloor, an elevator, and the like. The robot can stay within a proximityof the location being monitored, and can physically impede individualsfrom accessing the location. If an individual approaches the robot (forinstance, within a threshold distance from a location of the robot), therobot can warn the user not to cross a boundary associated with thelocation being monitored, can project a boundary onto the floor aroundthe location, can request credentials from the individual, by moving tomirror the individual's movement (to prevent the individual frombypassing the robot), or by performing any other suitable actions. Inthe event the individual persists and attempts to or succeeds inbypassing the robot, the robot can perform an enhanced securityoperation, for instance by notifying security personnel 250, byfollowing the individual, by triggering an alarm, by locking nearbydoors, or by performing any other security operation. It should be notedthat “enhanced security operation” as used herein can refer to a firstsecurity operation more likely to result in preventing a securityviolation than a second security operation.

G. Interaction with Building Infrastructure

The robot 100 can interact with one or more hardware systems or otherinfrastructure of a building, campus, site, or the like. An example ofsuch hardware systems includes a camera array. FIG. 11 illustrates aninfrastructure camera array, according to one embodiment. The cameraarray of FIG. 11 includes a speaker array 1102, a microphone array 1104,and cameras 1106, though in other embodiments, the camera array includesfewer, additional, or different components than those shown in FIG. 11.The camera array further includes a wireless transceiver configured toreceive information from the robot (for instance, instructions to recordvideo or to change a field of view of the camera array, or audio to playover the speaker array) and to transmit information to the robot (forinstance, video captured by the camera array streamed in real-time, oraudio captured by the microphone array). The camera array can beconnected to the robot through a building network, such as the network200. The camera array can be physically attached at various locationswithin a building, for instance to a ceiling or wall in each of a set ofrooms of a building, in areas with strategic vantage points, or nearhallways, doors, or entry points.

Another example of a hardware system with which a robot 100 can interactis a building computing system. FIG. 12 illustrates a building computingsystem, according to one embodiment. The computing system of FIG. 12includes a touch screen interface 1202, a camera 1204, and a microphonearray 1206, though in other embodiments, the touch screen interfaceincludes fewer, additional, or different components than those shown inFIG. 12. The computing system further includes a wireless transceiverconfigured to receive information from the robot (for instance,information for display on the touch screen interface, such asinformation associated with the robot, an authentication request for anindividual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (suchas inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface,video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphonearray). The computing system can be connected to the robot through abuilding network, such as the network 200. The computing system can bephysically attached to a wall of the building, for instance next to adoor, hallway, or other access point.

Additional examples of hardware systems with which a robot 100 caninteract include an alarm system, connected doors and windows, accessgates, connected locks, security gates, computer systems, networksystems or components, fire alarms, elevators, or any other connectedobject or system within a building or location. The robot can interactwith one or more hardware systems of a building, for instance whilepatrolling a route within the building, in response to detectingsuspicious activity, in response to detecting an unidentified orunauthorized individual, in response to determining that an individualviolated a security policy, in response to detecting that a buildingobject is misplaced or is in violation of a security policy, or inresponse to any other suitable criteria. In such instances, the robotcan communicatively couple to a hardware system of the building (forinstance, via the network 200) in order to leverage the capabilities orfunctionality of the hardware system to perform one or more securityoperations.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a process for using buildinginfrastructure to perform security operations, according to oneembodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, a robot moves 1300 along aselected patrol route. It should be noted that in some embodiments, theprocess of FIG. 13 may be performed by a robot that isn't patrolling,but rather that is stationary, recharging, or guarding an area orlocation. The robot identifies 1305 an object or individual, forinstance, within a proximity of the patrol route.

In response to identifying the object or individual, the robotdetermines 1310 if the identified object or individual violates one ormore security policies. For example, the robot can determine that theindividual or object violates a security policy if the individual isunidentified, if the individual is not permitted to be in a particularlocation or portion of a building, if the individual does not possessthe proper security credentials (for instance, if the user is not inpossession of an RFID badge), if the user is performing an unauthorizedaction, if the user is blacklisted from a location, if the user is inpossession of an unauthorized object, if the object is misplaced orlocated in an unauthorized location, if a status of the object isunauthorized (e.g., if a door that is supposed to be locked isunlocked), if an object is broken or malfunctioning, or based on anyother security policy violation criteria being satisfied by theindividual or the object.

In response to determining that the individual or object violates asecurity policy, the robot 100 can connect 1315 to a hardware system ofa building, and can perform 1320 one or more security operations usingthe connected hardware system. For instance, the robot cancommunicatively couple to a central system 210, an infrastructure system220 (such as an elevator system or power system of the building), or asecurity system 230 (such as a camera array located within thebuilding). In some embodiments, the robot communicatively couples to asystem selected based on a type of security policy violation. Forinstance, if the robot determines that an individual's movement orlocation violates a security policy, the robot can communicativelycouple to a camera array associated with the location of the individualto control the camera to capture video of the individual or to followthe movement of the individual. Likewise, if the robot determines that amalfunctioning network component violates a security policy, the robotcan communicatively couple to a network controller or the central systemin order to reset the network component.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 communicatively couples to thecentral system 210 upon detecting the security policy violation in orderto inform a user of the central system or an operator of the robot ofthe security violation in order to allow the user or operator to take anaction in response to the detected security violation. In someembodiments, the object determined to violate the security policy is thehardware system to which the robot communicatively couples. For example,if the robot determines that a door being unlocked violates a securitypolicy, the robot can communicatively couple to the door in order tolock the door (for instance, in embodiments in which the door isconnected to the network 200 is capable of directly coupling to therobot). In some embodiments, the hardware system to which the robotconnects is another robot. In such embodiments, the robot can provideinstructions to the second robot in order to perform one or moresecurity operations. For instance, the set of robots can corner orobstruct an individual determined to have violated a security policy.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting that an individualviolates a security policy, the robot 100 can control a camera array toadjust the orientation of the camera array to capture video of theindividual. In such embodiments, if the individual outruns the robot orhides such that the robot does not have a direct line of sight to theindividual, the robot can use the video footage captured by the cameraand streamed to the robot to locate the individual. The robot can thenapproach the individual, can report the location of the individual toone or more security personnel 250, or can instruct a second camera tocapture video of the user (for instance, in response to the individualmoving outside of the range of the camera array).

In addition, the robot can perform 1320 security operations includingbut not limited to: sounding an alarm, triggering a fire sprinklersystem, closing or locking doors or windows, locking access gates,accessing computer system databases, reporting the violation of thesecurity policy and any associated information to a local authority(such as the police), halting elevator systems, resetting or freezingnetwork systems, and the like. It should also be emphasized that a robotcan communicatively couple with a building hardware system in order toperform one or more operations using the connected hardware systemwithout requiring the detection of a security violation. For example,the robot can determine that the temperature of a room is below athreshold value, and connect to a furnace system in order to increaseheat flow into the room. Likewise, the robot can detect smoke and canconnect to windows and a building sprinkler system in order to open thewindows (to vent the smoke) and to turn on the sprinkler system (inorder to extinguish the fire). In some embodiments, the robot candetermine that an object (such as an item for sale in a store) ismisplaced, and can communicatively couple to an inventory database inorder to update the location of the object and to a cashier's computersystem in order to inform that cashier that the object is misplaced.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can perform a security operation, anda building hardware system can perform a security operation or otheraction based on the result of the security operation performed by robot.For instance, the robot can verify the identity or the credentials of anindividual (for instance, by performing a face detection operation onthe individual, by scanning the individual's identity badge, or byreceiving a password or code from the individual), can communicate theverified identity or credentials to a connected access gate or door, andthe access gate or door can unlock or open in response to receiving theidentity or credentials. Similarly, the robot can determine that anindividual is suspicious, can inform a security camera of the detectedsuspicious individual, and the security camera can record video of theindividual in response.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can perform a security operation inresponse to a security operation performed by a hardware system of abuilding. For instance, if a security camera detects a suspiciousindividual, the security camera can deploy a mobile robot to approach orfollow the individual, to request the user's credentials, or to warn theindividual. Likewise, if an audio system detects a suspicious noise, ifa connected door detects that an individual attempted to open the door,or if a connected badge reader scans a badge for an individual that isnot authorized to access a location associated with the badge reader, arobot can be deployed to perform one or more security operationsassociated with the security operation performed by the hardware system.It should be noted that a robot and a hardware system can performsecurity operations as described herein autonomously or without theexplicit instructions or involvement of a human (such as a securitypersonnel 250 or an operator of the robot), beneficially reducing theamount of human interaction required to perform the security operations.

H. Anomaly Detection

The robot 100 can detect security anomalies, for instance whilepatrolling within a building. As used herein, a security anomaly refersto a circumstance that might represent a security risk. Securityanomalies can be detected using one or more sensors or systems of therobot, or may be detected based on data received from one or moresystems external to the robot, such as from the central system 210, aninfrastructure system 220, or a security system 230. A security anomalycan be identified based on accessed information describing acharacteristic of an environment contrary to an expected characteristicof the environment. Upon detecting a security anomaly, the robot canperform one or more security operations, for instance to contain ormitigate the security risk corresponding to the security anomaly.

An example of a security anomaly is the detection of a sound that mayindicate a security risk. The detected sound may indicate a securityanomaly based on the type of sound detected. For instance, if a robot100 detects the sound of broken glass, the robot can identify thedetected sound as indicative of a security risk, and thus a securityanomaly. Examples of detected sounds that can indicate a securityanomaly include but are not limited to: windows opening, glass breaking,doors opening or closing, gun shots, walking footsteps, runningfootsteps, car sounds, shouting, water running, hissing (as from gas),and sounds that are an above-threshold magnitude. Likewise, if a robotdetects a human voice in an area where no individual is present, therobot can identify the detected voice as a security anomaly. In someembodiments, any detected sound above a threshold magnitude can beidentified as a security anomaly (for instance, in secure environmentswhere individuals are not authorized to enter).

In some embodiments, security anomalies can be detected using cameras ofthe robot 100 or of a security system 230. For instance, a securityanomaly can be detected if the robot detects an individual at a time orplace where no individuals are expected to be present, if the robotidentifies an individual that is blacklisted or is otherwise notauthorized to be a particular location, if the robot identifies anindividual taking an action that is not expected or authorized, if therobot identifies a broken or open window, if the robot detects anunlocked or open door when the door is supposed to be closed or locked,if the robot detects an object that is out of place, or the like. Insome embodiments, a security anomaly can be detected based on detectedor intercepted communications, wireless signals, or the like.

In response to detecting a security anomaly, the robot 100 can performone or more security operations. For example, in response to detecting asound indicative of a security anomaly, the robot can investigate thedetected sound, can inform the central system 210 of the detected sound,or can instruct nearby security cameras to record video of the locationwhere the sound was detected. Likewise, in response to detecting anindividual in a location where there individual is not authorized to be,the robot can warn, follow, or confront the individual; can requestsecurity personnel 250 to come investigate; and can lock nearby doors toprevent the escape of the individual. In addition, in response todetecting a broken window, the robot can update a semantic map toindicate that the window is broken, or can summon security personnel tocome replace the window. In response to detecting an unlocked door (at atime when the door is supposed to be locked), the robot can lock thedoor (either remotely in the event that the door is connected to thenetwork 200, or manually otherwise) and can instruct nearby robots,cameras, and security personnel to be on the lookout for unauthorizedindividuals responsible for the door being unlocked that might be in thearea. In some embodiments, the central system 210 can, in response tothe detection of a security anomaly by a robot, increase patrols to thelocation associated with the detected security anomaly for a thresholdamount of time, for instance, for an hour.

I. Aerial Systems

As noted above, in some embodiments the robot 100 or the othercomponents of FIG. 2 can coordinate with one or more aerial systems orUAVs. The aerial systems can include many components in common with therobot 100, for instance a pan/title camera or camera array, an RFIDreader or other DoA or reader antennas, a communication interface,various indicators, microphones, speakers, motion detection systems,laser rangerfinders, IR sensors, a security engine, a semantic mappingengine, an RFID engine, and the like. In addition, the aerial systemscan include an aerial navigation system, propellers, collision avoidancemechanisms, and the like. In other words, the aerial systems can performmany of the same functions as the robot 100, but with the added benefitof being able to move in three dimensions, fly over obstacles,scan/patrol hard-to-reach areas from better vantage points orperspectives, and perform other functions enabled by flight. It shouldbe noted that while various functionalities described herein are limitedin description to robots, such functionalities can equally apply toaerial vehicles.

In some embodiments, the aerial robots can land on and perch on ledges,surfaces, or objects and disable flight mechanisms (such as propellerspinning, navigation components, and the like). Perching enables theaerial robots to perform various security operations (such as recordingvideo) from a better vantage point than the robot 100, while also savingthe power otherwise required to maintain altitude or otherwise fly. Whenthe aerial robot subsequently needs to recharge or move, the aerialrobot can enable flight mechanisms and fly away as needed.

In some embodiments, aerial vehicles can land on and couple to chargingstations in order to charge the batteries of the aerial vehicles. Thecharge station can include a coupling component and the aerial vehiclecan include a reciprocally coupling component, such that the aerialvehicle charges when the coupling component is coupled to thereciprocally coupling component. In some embodiments, the aerialvehicles autonomously fly to the nearest charge station when the batterypower available to the aerial vehicle falls below a threshold. In someembodiments, the robot 100 can include a charge station and/orlaunch/landing pad, and the aerial vehicle can fly to the nearest robotto recharge as needed. In yet other embodiments, an aerial vehicle canbe tethered (e.g., connected to a power source via a cable) to either acharge station, robot, or other power source, beneficially enabling theaerial vehicle to have an unlimited or much greater power supply at thecost of mobility.

In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle can be wirelessly recharged, forinstance using inductive recharging. In such embodiments, the landingpad or charge station can include a first inductive coil and the aerialvehicle can include a second inductive coil such that an electromagneticfield created by the first inductive coil can create energy in thesecond inductive coil which can then be used to charge the batteries ofthe aerial vehicle. In some embodiments, aerial vehicles can bewirelessly charged while in flight or remote from charge stations.

In some embodiments, the aerial vehicles can be manually controlled (forinstance, by a user of the central system 210 or other aerial vehicleoperator). In such embodiments, the operator of the aerial vehicle cancontrol the location, movement, flight, and functionality of the aerialvehicle. For example, if a robot 100 detects a security anomaly orunidentified individual, the robot can launch an aerial vehicle toinvestigate the security anomaly or unidentified individual. Thelocation and/or field of view of aerial vehicles can be displayed to auser of the central system, for instance within a security interfacemap.

In some embodiments, the aerial vehicles can be launched and controlledby a robot 100, for instance, in response to a determination by therobot during the patrolling of a route that an obstruction (such as awall or barrier) prevents the robot from being able to adequatelyobserve or monitor an area. In such embodiments, the robot can launch anaerial vehicle from the robot or from an aerial vehicle launch pad orcharge station, the aerial vehicle can scan the area and can provideinformation about the scan to the robot, the aerial vehicle can returnto the point of origin (the robot, the launch pad, the charge station,etc.), and the robot can perform a security operation based on theinformation received from the aerial vehicle (if necessary) or cancontinue with patrolling the route.

The aerial vehicle can record sound or video while in flight, and canstream the recorded sound or video (for instance, either directly fromthe aerial vehicle to the central station 210 via the network, or by viathe robot 100, which in turn can broadcast the recorded sound or video).Likewise, the aerial vehicle can record, store, and/or broadcast otherdata captured by other sensors, information related to securityoperations or the operation of the aerial vehicle, or any other suitableinformation as needed to the robot or the central system. The video,audio, or other information captured by the aerial vehicle can be playedor displayed to a user of the central system, for instance within asecurity interface portion.

In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle can receive security operationinstructions from the central system 210, and can perform one or moresecurity operations in response. For instance, the aerial vehicle canpatrol routes in response to an instruction received directly from thecentral system. Likewise, the aerial vehicle can scan RFID badges in aparticular location in response to an instruction received from therobot 100, which in turn received the instruction to identify allindividuals within the location. In such embodiments, the aerial vehiclecan perform the functionalities of the robots or security systemsdescribed herein.

J. Central System Operation

The central system 210 can interact with one or more robots 100 andother infrastructure systems 220 and security systems 230 to perform oneor more security operations. The central system can receive data fromthe one or more robots, infrastructure systems, and security systems;can aggregate, normalize, or otherwise format the received data; and candisplay the formatted data within an interface. Security interfaces aredescribed below in greater detail. The central system can also requestparticular data from particular robots, infrastructure systems, orsecurity systems; can instruct robots, infrastructure systems, andsecurity systems to perform one or more security operations, eitherindependently or in concert with other robots, infrastructure systems,or security systems; or can implement one or more security policies. Itshould be noted that the functions of the central system describedherein can be performed in response to input from a user or operator ofthe central system, or without receiving inputs from a user or operator(for instance, autonomously or in response to detected security criteriathat trigger the performance of security operations).

The central system 210 can aggregate sensor data from one or more robots100, infrastructure systems, or security systems. For instance, thecentral security system can receive locations of individuals within abuilding from multiple robots and security cameras, and can combine thelocation information to determine refined locations of each individualwithin the building. Likewise, the central system can interpolate datareceived from multiple sources, for instance by averaging temperaturesdetected in each room in a building to determine an average temperaturefor each room. Finally, the central system can receive informationdescribing a state of one or more objects in a location, for instancethe power levels, capabilities, or locations of each robot within abuilding.

The central system 210 can manage multiple maps for a location, forinstance stored building maps and blueprints, semantic maps describing abuilding or area, and simultaneous location and mapping (or “SLAM” maps)generated by a robot 100 or other system configured to scan a locationor area. In some embodiments, the central system can coordinate betweenmultiple maps of the same location, for instance by updating older mapsto include the location of objects that newer maps indicated have moved,or by incorporating types of information present in a first map but nota second map into the second map (for instance, the location of windows,whether a door is locked or unlocked, or the location of securitycameras).

The central system 210 can implement one or more security policies, suchas a building security policy. For instance, a security policy canspecify one or more security criteria, such as: patrol routes within abuilding, can specify a frequency of patrolling each route, can specifyaccess credentials required for an individual to be in one or moreportions of the building, can specify acceptable threshold values orranges for sensors within the building (such as minimum or maximumtemperatures, sound magnitudes, characteristics of video data capturedby cameras), can specify acceptable or forbidden actions or activitiesfor individuals within one or more building portions, can definegeofences describing portions of a building that can be accessed or thatare off-limits (for instance, by time, by access credential), and thelike. In some embodiments, the security criteria are time-dependent, andcan vary based on whether the current time falls within a time rangespecified for the security criteria.

In implementing the security policy, the central system 210 can instructone or more robots 100 to perform a task (such as patrol a route orintercept an individual that isn't authorized to be in a particularlocation), can instruct security cameras to change viewpoint and/orcapture video of a location associated with a potential violation of asecurity policy, can request sensor data detected by one or moreinfrastructure systems 220 or security systems 230, and the like. Insome embodiments, security policies can be implemented in response tothe detection of one or more security criteria. For instance, if anindividual is detected in an off-limits portion of a building or asuspicious sound is detected, the central system can dispatch one ormore robots or security personnel to investigate.

As noted above, the central system 210 can also instruct one or morerobots 100 and/or one or more infrastructure systems 220 or securitysystems 230 to perform a security operation in response to a requestfrom a robot, in response to receiving information from a robot (such asinformation indicative of a security violation or threat), or inresponse to a request or information from an infrastructure system orsecurity system. The central system can prioritize security operations,and can instruct the one or more robots, infrastructure systems, andsecurity systems to perform security operations based on the priority ofeach security operations. For instance, if the central system identifiesten security operations that need to be performed by five robots, thecentral system can prioritize the ten security operations, and caninstruct the five robots to perform the five highest priority operationsfirst, and when those operations are complete, can instruct the robotsto perform the remaining five security operations. The central systemcan account for the capabilities and availability of each robot,infrastructure system, and security system before instructing theserobots and systems to perform security operations. For instance, thecentral system can determine that of two robots, a first is able toperform a particular operation (such as an IR scan) and a second isn't,and can instruct the first robot to perform the operation (and not thesecond, even if the first robot is currently occupied).

The central system 210 can record and store data received from one ormore robots 100, infrastructure systems 220, and security systems, forinstance within log files in memory accessible to the central system. Inaddition, the central system can report or log any suspicious activity,detected security anomalies, detected threats or alerts, or anypotential or actual violations of security policies, for instance tosecurity personnel 250 or to an operator or user of the central system.The central system can also coordinate communications between componentsof the environment of FIG. 2, for instance by receiving messages fromone or more of the systems and routing the message if needed to one ormore other systems. In doing so, the central system can synchronizeinformation, for instance by applying time stamps to the information, byaggregating the information by time, and by routing messages inchronological order based on the time of the aggregated information orbased on the time each message was received.

As noted above, an implementation of the central system 210 can presenta security interface to an operator. The operator can review dataprovided by the robots 100, infrastructure systems 220, and securitysystems 230 and presented within the interface. The informationpresented by the security interface can be updated in real-time, forinstance reflecting updated information received from the robots,infrastructure systems, and security systems. For example, the securityinterface can update the location of the robots within a building inreal-time. The operator can coordinate the actions of multiple robots,can assign patrol routes to robots and can alter patrol routes as therobots are patrolling the routes, can dispatch robots to investigatesecurity anomalies or suspicious activity, and can assign particularsecurity operations to particular robots.

The central system 210 can notify security personnel 250 or otherindividuals or groups to inform the security personnel of securityviolations, suspicious activities, security anomalies, and the like. Forinstance, the central system can send text or SMS messages, emails, orvoice calls to security personnel, to police, to a company's employeesor managers, and the like. Likewise, the central system can fieldqueries from robots 100, infrastructure systems 220, security systems230, security personnel 250, users of a remote interface 240, and thelike, and can provide information gathered by the central system inresponse to the queries. For example, the central system can provide amap of all RFID readings as detected by a fleet of robots to arequesting entity. Likewise, the central system can store and provide aWiFi heat map, a temperature map, and the like to users of the centralsystem, and can generate (either periodically, automatically, or inresponse to user request) reports of anomalies, security events, patrolcoverage, or building properties for review by users of the centralsystem.

In some embodiments, the robots 100 may not include the necessarycomputing power to perform certain functions (or may include thenecessary computing power but may not be able to perform such functionsin a time-efficient manner), including both security operations (such asfacial detection) and non-security operations (such as national languageprocessing). In such embodiments, the robots can request that thecentral system 210 (which may include greater processing capabilitiesand resources) to instead perform such functions. For example, a robotcan receive a request from a user asking “How do I get to the conferenceroom?”, and can send the recorded voice sample to the central system,which can parse the voice signal and determine the user's intent.Continuing with this example, the central system can identify a set ofnavigation instructions to the conference room to the robot, and therobot can provide the navigation instructions to the user. Likewise, arobot can request that the centralized server compress data, performvideo processing tasks, to stream video to other robots or entities, toperform machine learning tasks, or to perform any other processing- orresource-intensive tasks, and can provide the data to perform such tasksto the central system. The central system can also access a building'sor company's databases or processing resources (such as servers or othercomputer systems), for instance to identify an individual within abuilding or to use the accessed processing resources to perform acomputationally-intensive task.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a process for controlling asecurity robot by a central system, according to one embodiment. Thecentral system 210 communicatively couples 1400 with a robot 100. Thecentral system then instructs 1405 the robot to perform a securityoperation. In some embodiments, the central system instructs the robotto perform an ordered set of operations, and the robot maintains the setin a queue, and begins performing the first operation in the set. Thesecurity operation can be any operation described herein, for instance apatrol route, investigating a noise, scanning an individual's badge orotherwise authenticating an individual, and the like. The central systemreceives 1410 data associated with the security operation from therobot. Examples of such data include video captured while patrolling aroute, the identity of an investigated individual, and the like.

The central system 210 can select 1415 a second security operation basedon the data received from the robot while performing the securityoperation. For instance, if the data received from the robot is video,and the video indicates an unauthorized individual is located in aportion of the building, the second security operation can be anauthentication operation (to authenticate the identity of theindividual), a video recording operation (to record video of theindividual), and the like. The central system can instruct 1420 asecurity system to perform the second security operation. In someembodiments, the security system is the robot, and the robot canimmediately begin performing the second security operation, can performthe second security operation after completing the original securityoperation, or can slot the second security operation into the queue ofsecurity operations maintained by the robot (for instance, at the frontof the queue, at a location within the queue corresponding to thepriority of the second operation, or at the end of the queue). In otherembodiments, the security system is a system other than the robot, whichcan likewise immediately perform the second security operation, or canqueue the second security operation based on the priority of the secondoperation.

Although the central system 210 is described herein as a single entity,it should be noted that in some embodiments, the central system caninclude any number of systems operating in concert. For instance, thecentral system 210 can be implemented within a data center, by severalcommunicatively coupled servers, or the like. Finally, it should benoted that in some embodiments, the tasks performed by the centralsystem may instead be performed by other components of the embodiment ofFIG. 2, by systems configured to directly communicatively couple witheach other (for instance, the robot 100 and a security camera system),or by two or more robots configured to communicatively couple with eachother.

K. Security Interface

As noted above, the central system 210 can display a security interfacethat includes various security information and data from the componentsof FIG. 2. Although the security interface can be displayed by othercomponents of FIG. 2 (such as the remote interface 240) or other systemsnot illustrated in FIG. 2, the remainder of the description herein willreference the display of the security interface by the central systemfor the purpose of simplicity.

The security interface can include a number of portions, and eachinterface portion can display a set of security information. Forexample, an interface portion can display a map of a building or area,robot status information, robot video streams, security camera videostreams, security notifications, a list of individuals within an area, alist of security personnel 250 within an area, security policy violationinformation, video chat streams (for instance, for an individualspeaking to a robot 100), communication information, infrastructuresystem status information, security system status information, a list ofavailable security operations (for assignment to a robot, infrastructuresystem 220, security system 230, or security personnel), a list ofsecurity operations being performed or queued, security operation statusinformation, and the like.

FIG. 15 illustrates a security interface for display by a centralsystem, according to one embodiment. The interface of FIG. 15 includes afirst portion 1500 displaying a local map, a second portion 1502displaying a global map, a third portion 1504 displaying textnotifications, and a fourth portion 1506 displaying a robot interface.It should be noted that in other embodiments, the security interface ofFIG. 15 can include different, additional, or fewer interface portionsshowing any suitable information, and can include interface portions indifferent arrangements or locations than illustrated in FIG. 15.

The first interface portion 1500 includes a local map illustratingvarious entities, objects, and notifications within a portion of abuilding. The location map can include a floorplan of the portion of thebuilding, for example illustrating rooms, names of rooms, room numbers,hallways, doors and/or windows, and important building features. In theembodiment of FIG. 15, the first interface portion illustrates a robot1510 with field of view 1514. The robot is moving along the patrol path1520, and detects the person 1516. The displayed field of view 1514corresponds to the field of the view of the robot, indicating thecurrent field of view of the robot to a user of the security interface.Likewise, the location of the person 1516 displayed as a humanoid iconon the local map corresponds to the location of the person within thebuilding as detected by the robot. Person 1518, having previously beendetected by the robot but now out of the field of view of the robot, isshown on the local map at the last known location of the person 1518. Insome embodiments, as the person 1518 is no longer visible to the robot,an indication is displayed on the map that the location of the person1518 is no longer certain (for instance, the icon for the person can befaded to indicate the uncertainty of the person's location asillustrated in FIG. 15, the color of the icon or the icon itself can bechanged to indicate the uncertainty of the person's location, and thelike).

The level of certainty or uncertainty in the individual's location canalso be visually represented within the security interface, for instanceby adjusting an amount of fading or the color of the icon representativeof the individual. The level of certainty or uncertainty in theindividual's location can be based on the amount of time since theindividual was last observed (e.g., wherein the uncertainty increaseswith time since last observation), a speed or activity of the individualwhen the individual was last observed (e.g., wherein the uncertaintyincreases with the speed of the individual or based on the activity typeof the individual), or based on an identity of the individual (e.g.,wherein the uncertainty increases faster for individuals with loweraccess credentials or with a history of security violations than forother individuals). In some embodiments, different icons, colors, orother representations can be used to display different categories ofpeople, for instance identified individuals, unidentified individuals,individuals by categories of access credentials, individuals by activitytype, individuals performing prohibited actions, individuals associatedwith security risks or threats, and the like.

In addition to robots, the first interface portion 1500 also includesother objects, such as the security camera 1512. The field of view ofthe security camera is also displayed (for instance, in a differentcolor than the field of view 1514 of the robot 1510), and anyindividuals within the field of view of the security camera areindicated with icons. Likewise, the location of various tracked assets(such as the tracked asset 1526) can be indicated within the firstinterface portion using suitable icons. Tracked assets can includeassets coupled to RFID tags, and examples of tracked assets can includelab equipment, computer equipment, and secure documents. The firstinterface portion can also include notifications, such as the alertnotification 1522 and the warning notification 1524. The location ofnotifications within the local map can be based on the location of theentity or object associated with the notifications. In some embodiments,a user can view all tracked assets in a particular location within thesecurity interface, for instance a listing of assets by name oridentity, a time last seen, an expected or permitted location, and anactual or last seen location. The user can also use the securityinterface to add additional tracked items, to change the permissions ofexisting tracked items (for instance by changing the permitted locationsfor the items), and can remove tracked items.

As noted above, the security interface can be updated in real-time, asobjects and entities move and events occur. For instance, the firstinterface portion 1500 can be updated to display the robot 1510 as itmoves along the patrol path 1520. As the robot moves along the patrolpath, the displayed robot icon can move to reflect the change inlocation of the robot, allowing a user of the security interface to beable to track the robot in real-time. Likewise, the location ofindividuals or objects detected by robots, security cameras, or otherlocation-tracking mechanisms (such as GPS tracking devices, mobilephones, or RFID readers) can be updated as the individuals or objectsmove in real-time.

The security interface can also include a time bar 1508 enabling a userof the security interface to select a previously occurring viewing time.The security interface, in response to the user selecting a previouslyoccurring viewing time, can adjust the various interface portions of thesecurity interface to display information associated with the previouslyoccurring viewing time. The user can then “play” the information withinthe security interface from the selected previously occurring viewingtime, enabling the user to view changes in displayed information insimulated real-time (or augment real-time slowed down or sped uprelative to real-time). Accordingly, a user can view security interfaceevents as they occur in real-time, or can beneficially go back in timeto re-watch security interface events in simulated real-time as needed.

The second interface portion 1502 displays a global map of a building,including robot icons for robots within the building, person icons forindividuals within the building, and the like. The global map includes awindow 1528 that corresponds to the current view of the local map withinthe first interface portion 1500. The global map can also update inreal-time, for instance as the robots move within the building, and asthe portion of the building illustrated in the local map changes.

The third interface portion 1504 illustrates text notificationscorresponding to events occurring within the portion of the local map1500, corresponding to information associated with objects orindividuals within the building, or corresponding to any otherinformation associated with the security interface. In the embodiment ofFIG. 15, three text notifications are displayed. The first is “Note:patrol route 1520 started by robot 1510 (6:32 pm)”, and indicates thatthe robot 1510 began patrolling route 1520 at 6:32 pm. In other words,the notification indicates that a particular object (the robot) beganperforming a security operation (patrolling the patrol route) at aparticular time. The second notification is “Warning: unauthorizedactivity detected by root 1510 (6:41 pm)”, and indicates that a warningevent was detected corresponding to the warning notification icon 1524.The third notification is “Alert: prohibited activity detected by robot1510 (6:42 pm)”, and indicates that a security alert event was detectedcorresponding to the alert notification icon 1526. In other words, thesecond and third notifications indicate particular security eventscorresponding to different security levels, the type of activity thattriggered the security events (unauthorized activities and prohibitedactivities), the entity that detected the security events (the robot1510), and the time each security event was detected. It should be notedthat in some embodiments, the text notifications can also identifyindividuals detected by robots, individuals associated with securityviolations, door or window alarms, detected motion or sounds, or anyother information associated with security events, objects, individuals,robots, infrastructure systems, or security systems.

The fourth interface portion 1506 displays a robot interface. In theembodiment of FIG. 15, information associated with the robot 1510 isdisplayed. In particular, the robot interface displays an icon or imagerepresentative of the robot is displayed, displays a status of therobot, displays an amount of available power to the robot, and displaysa current security operation being performed (in the embodiment of FIG.15, the task is patrolling). In addition, the robot interface includesbuttons enabling a user of the security interface to view of video feedfrom the robot (which can be displayed within the fourth interfaceportion or elsewhere within the security interface), to participate intelepresence activities (such as a video chat with an individual withina proximity of the robot), to change the security operation beingperformed by the robot (the “change task” button), to view the scheduleof the robot (including queued or scheduled security operations,scheduled recharge times, and the like), or to configure the behavior orsettings corresponding to the robot. In some embodiments, a user of thesecurity interface can schedule future security operations for therobot, for instance by selecting a starting time for each selectedsecurity operation, each selected patrol route, etc.

In some embodiments, a user of the security interface can interact withthe security interface in various ways. For instance, a user can scrollthe first interface portion 1500 to change the portion of the global mapdisplayed within the local map. Likewise, a user can touch a portion ofthe global map of the second interface portion 1502 to relocate thewindow 1528 and thus relocate the portion of the global map shown withinthe local map. A user can also zoom in or out on the local map, canselect a displayed icon for information associated with the entity orobject corresponding to the icon (for instance, a user can select arobot icon or security camera icon to change the information displayedwith the fourth interface portion 1506), and can select an iconcorresponding to an entity or object to change a state of the entity orobject (for instance, a user can select a door icon to open, close,lock, or unlock the corresponding door, or can select a robot icon tochange a security operation being performed by or mode of thecorresponding robot).

In some embodiments, a user can use the security interface to change thepatrol route of a robot by selecting among a set of patrol routes, or bymanually drawing a patrol route on the local map (upon which, a set ofnavigation instructions through a building portion corresponding to thedrawn patrol route will be sent to the robot, and the robot can beginpatrolling the drawn patrol route based on the navigation instructions).In addition, a user can select a building portion or room displayedwithin the local map for investigation by a robot. In response, therobot can investigate the building portion or room, and can provideinformation corresponding to the investigation (such as video data orsensor data) back to the security interface for display. A user canselect a displayed robot icon or security camera icon to adjust a fieldof view or viewpoint of the robot or security camera, to view videocaptured by the robot or security camera, or to change the behavior ofthe robot or security camera. A user can also use the security interfaceto select a location for a robot to guard or act as sentry (forinstance, by drawing a line within the local map), can select a guard orsentry behavior (e.g., “allow no one to pass”, “allow users with propersecurity credentials to pass”, etc.), and can select an active guard orsentry time (e.g., “guard between the hours of 1:00 am and 7:00 am). Insome embodiments, the security interface can beneficially enable a userto manually control a robot, for instance using a keyboard or joystickmechanism to move the robot around a location displayed on a map and toadjust a viewpoint or field of view of the robot.

A user can interact with the security interface using any suitablemeans. For instance, a user can click on a displayed robot icon using amouse or selecting gesture on a touch-screen display, a list of securityoptions can be presented by the security interface in response, the usercan select one of the presented security operations, and the securityinterface can instruct the robot to being performing the selectedsecurity option. Likewise, a user can scroll or zoom using a mouse or ascrolling gesture on a touch-screen display.

In some embodiments, an interface portion can display an identity ofindividuals in an area. For example, the interface portion can list theindividuals who have been identified (for example, the name, position,and/or access credentials of the individuals), and can also listindividuals who have not been identified (e.g., by a generic placeholdersuch as “Individual #1”, and an indication that the individual has notbeen identified). The interface portion can also list a location of eachindividual, for instance, a building or room in which each individual islocated. Likewise, an interface portion can list security personnel inan area, and a location of each security personnel.

Each interface portion or each category of information shown within asecurity interface can be associated with an access level. Accordingly,the interface portions or categories of information shown to a user ofthe security interface can be limited based on the security credentialsof the user. For instance, if a user is not authorized to view videostreams from robots, the security interface can be configured to preventvideo streams from being shown to the user.

The security interface can also differentiate displayed areas within amap based on a category of the area. For instance, off-limits rooms canbe displayed in a first color, rooms available to high-securityindividuals can be displayed in a second color, and can display roomsavailable to everyone in a third color. The security interface can alsodisplay geofences within a map, for instance boundaries of areas notaccessible to robots, and areas available to non-employee visitors.Finally, the security interface can differentiate areas of a mapcurrently visible to robots and/or other sensors. For instance, thesecurity interface can show areas of a map visible to robots in a firstset of color tones, and can show areas of a map not visible to robots ina second set of color tones (for instance, a darker set of color tones),beneficially enabling a user of the security interface to quicklyidentify currently unmonitored portions of a building.

In some embodiments, the security interface can show securityinformation received from or representative of more than one location.For instance, the security interface can receive security informationfrom a plurality of different buildings, for example belonging to thesame entity or company. In such embodiments, a user of the securityinterface can toggle the interface between locations. For example, auser can configure the security interface to show a map of robots,tracked assets, and security information within a first building, andcan subsequently configure the security interface to show a map ofrobots, tracked assets, and security information within a secondbuilding. Each location can be associated with a different selectableicon displayed within the security interface, can be listed in aselectable drop-down list, and the like. The security interface canupdate with security information associated with a selected location inresponse to the user selection of a configuration option associated withthe location.

A user of the security interface can also configure security policiesusing the security interface. For instance, a user can select securitypolicy components, including one or more of a location, a time range forwhich the security policy will be active, one or more categories ofindividuals to whom the security policy applies (e.g., employees,managers, staff, visitors, etc.), permitted access credentials, securitypolicy exceptions, actions taken in the event of security policyviolations (e.g., notify security, revoke user credentials, lock nearbydoors, etc.), and the like. The security policy configured by the userof the security interface can be stored and subsequently implemented,for instance by patrolling robots, security systems, and/or nearby doorsand access gates. In some embodiments, the security interface can logthe credentials, identity, and/or actions of users of the securityinterface, beneficially allowing the security interface to generate anauditable log of the users and user actions for subsequent review (forinstance, for accountability and privacy considerations).

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a process for interacting with asecurity robot using a security interface, according to one embodiment.The security interface communicatively couples 1500 with a robot (forinstance, via the central system 210). The security interface isdisplayed 1505 to include a location of the robot. A user of thesecurity interface instructs 1510 the robot to perform a securityoperation. For instance, a user can instruct the robot to patrol aparticular patrol route, or to investigate suspicious activity. Thesecurity interface receives 1515 data from the robot associated with thesecurity operation. For instance, the robot can provide video capturedduring the performance of the security operation, and/or can provide anupdated location of the robot. The security interface updates 1520 thedisplayed interface based on the received data from the robot. Forinstance, the security interface can be updated to display the videocaptured by the robot or the updated location of the robot.

M. Additional Security Operations

The robot 100 can perform one or more additional security operations,either independently of or in concert with one or more of the securityoperations described above. In one embodiment, the robot can operate ina privacy mode, where data collected and security operations performedby the robot are not communicated to an external entity (to preserve theprivacy of individuals in proximity to the robot, or to reduce thelikelihood that such data is intercepted during transmission) unless oneor more security criteria are triggered (such as the detection ofsuspicious activity, the identification of an unauthorized individual,and the like). Operating in such a privacy mode further beneficiallyenables the robot to operate in proximity to sensitive data or objects(such as secret lab equipment or confidential/classified information)without a risk of such sensitive data or objects being discovered byunauthorized entities within access to the robot or the central system210. In some embodiments, the robot is configured to blur faces withincaptured images or videos to preserve the privacy of the individualsassociated with the blurred faces. Such facial blurring may be performedby the robot on the captured images and videos only when the images orvideo is transmitted to an external entity. The robot can alsobeneficially blur computer monitors, documents, sensitive data orinstruments, or any other objects or information as needed to satisfysecurity restrictions.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can use one or more sensors, such asIR cameras, 3D depth cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and rangefinders tonavigate within darkness. Doing so beneficially enables the robot tooperate during times when the lights in an area are otherwise turnedoff. Accordingly, the absence of visible light in an area is notdetrimental to the ability of the robot to perform security operations.As the majority of burglary occurs at night when employees or otherindividuals are not present, the ability of a robot to perform securityoperations in darkness beneficially prevents the need to power lights inan area. When the robot detects suspicious activity or when one or moresecurity criteria are triggered while operating in darkness, the robotcan activate a spotlight of the robot to highlight an object associatedwith the detected activity, can activate the buildings lights (e.g., bycommunicating with the central system 210 to turn on the lights for aparticular area associated with the detected activity), or can call oneor more security personnel 250 or other robots to the area associatedwith the detected activity.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can enable a user within a proximityof the robot to interact with security personnel 250 or an operator ofthe robot. For instance, the robot can display real-time video of theoperator or security personnel to the individual, and/or can transmitaudio communications between the individual and the operation orsecurity personnel. Doing so beneficially enables the individual tospeak with a human associated with the robot, for instance in order torequest authorization for access to a particular area, to authenticatethe individual's credentials, or to enable the individual to requesthelp or assistance.

The robot 100, in response to determining that the robot has lostconnectivity with the network 200 during the patrolling of a route, canreturn to an earlier location with the route where the robot wasconnected to the network. Likewise, in some embodiments, the robot canmove to a location further along the patrol route until connectivity isrestored. While the robot is disconnected from the network, all dataconnected by the robot (related to security or otherwise) can be storeduntil connectivity is restored. When the robot is able to reconnect tothe network, the robot can upload the stored data (for instance, to thecentral system 210).

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can monitor the environment in whichthe robot operates over time to detect potential security anomaliesusing one or more of the sensors of the robot. For instance, the robotcan detect the temperature of particular rooms within a building, candetect smoke, can detect carbon monoxide levels, can detect lightlevels, can detect chemical compounds or gaseous substances, and thelike. The robot can obtain and store these measurements, and can map outvariations of these measurements over time and by location. If, duringthe course of a patrol, a robot records obtains a measurement thatdeviates by more than a threshold from historical measurements, therobot can flag these measurement as a security anomaly. For instance, ifthe robot detects the temperature of a room over time to be between 72degrees Fahrenheit and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, the robot can identify ameasure of the room of 68 degrees Fahrenheit as an indication of asecurity anomaly (for instance, as a result of someone leaving a windowopen). The detected security anomalies can subsequently be reported tothe central system 210, or to an external entity (such as a buildingoperator or facilities management team).

The robot 100 may detect fires, for instance visually using a camera722, an IR sensors, a temperature sensor, or any other suitablemeasuring system. In response, the robot can attempt to distinguish thefire, for instance using an on-board fire extinguisher, can flag thefire for security personnel to handle, can flag the fire to the centralsystem 210, can trigger a fire alarm, can trigger a building's sprinklersystems, or can call the fire department or other emergency services.The robot may also detect when an individual is smoking (for instance,either visually, by detecting the smoke in the air, or by detecting thepresence of cigarette-related gases in the air), and can inform theindividual that smoking is prohibited. In such instances, the robot canalso inform the central security system. In emergency situations, therobot can enable an external entity (such as an operator of the robot)to communicate with individuals within a proximity of the robot, forinstance to assist with evacuation, to hold or disable elevators, tounlike exit doors, to provide information to response personnel, tosound alarms, to map out a location of a fire, to identify exit routes,to obstruct or locate unauthorized or dangerous individuals, and thelike.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can include airbags configured toinflate when the robot is falling over in order to cushion the fall tothe extent possible. The use of airbags to soften impact upon fallingcan beneficially reduce damage to the robots. In some embodiments, therobot can prevent “tailgating”, or the following of a first individualwith proper security credentials by an unauthorized individual through adoor or access gate open in response to the security credentials of thefirst individual.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can be used, for instance, by asecurity personnel 250 or user of the central system 210 to locate anobject or individual. In such embodiments, the central system candetermine a last known location of the object or individual (forinstance, by querying the security interface or by accessing data logsof object and individual locations), and can provide this location tothe security personnel or user. Alternatively, the last known locationof the individual can be used (for instance, by robots) to scan the areawithin a proximity of the last known location for the individual. Whenthe current location of the individual is determined (for instance, inresponse to the deployment of a robot to the last known location and thesubsequent scanning of the area), the current location can be provided,for instance to the requesting entity.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can determine its location withoutusing a map (for instance, in response to a mapping error). Forinstance, the robot can ask a nearby human for help, can use RFID tagsfound in a vicinity of an area and can identify a historical location ofthe RFID tags, can ask nearby robots for location information, can querythe central system 210 for the robot's location, can use 3D informationor 2D/map layout information to determine the location of the robot, andthe like.

As noted above, the robot 100 can perform operations in addition tosecurity operations. For instance, the robot can be located within anentrance or doorway and greet people as they enter or leave an area. Therobot can request janitorial service in response to detect a mess withina proximity of the robot, and can act in self-defense in the event thatsomeone tries to tamper with the robot or with another security systemor infrastructure system.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can delivery objects, packages,paperwork, and the like to an individual, for instance by querying asemantic map, the central system 210, another robot, or any other systemor entity that tracks the location of individuals. In response toidentifying a location of the individual, the robot can navigate to theindividual, can verify the individual's identity (for instance, byscanning an RFID badge of the individual, by performing facial or voicerecognition on the individual, or by any other suitable means), and canhave the individual sign for the delivery before providing the object tothe individual. In some embodiments, the robot can enable guests tocheck-in via the robot's touchscreen display. In other embodiments, therobot can enable individuals near the robot to report emergencysituations, for instance a fire nearby, an unauthorized individualwithin the vicinity, a medical emergency, and the like.

It should be noted that in the examples of robot functionality describedabove, an exhaustive list of security operations that a robot canperform is not given for each example for the purposes of simplicity.However, it should be noted that any security operation described hereinor otherwise can be performed by the robot in any context describedherein, and that the lack of description of a particular securityoperation in a particular context does not indicate that the robot isunable to perform the security operation in that context.

Semantic Mapping

As noted above, the semantic mapping system 736 of the robot 100 cangenerate or update a semantic map associated with a location or settingin which the robot is located. As used herein, a “semantic map” refersto a map that includes one or more objects, entities, or individuals,and that includes a meaning, description, identity, or status of theidentified objects, entities, or individuals. Semantic maps generated bythe semantic mapping system can be stored locally by the robot, or canbe uploaded to the central system 210 for storage in the semantic mapsstorage module 342.

A. Semantic Map Generation

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can generate a semantic map fromscratch, while in other embodiments, the robot can update an existingsemantic map or can generate a semantic map from a non-semantic map, forinstance by adding semantic details (such as information describing thelocation, identity, status, or other characteristics of detectedobjects) to the non-semantic map. In embodiments, where the robotgenerates a semantic map from scratch, the robot first generates an areamap identifying obstacles and pathways using, for instance, one or moreof the scanners 726 (such as a laser rangefinder or other suitable depthsensor) and a simultaneous localization and mapping (or “SLAM”)algorithm. As used herein, such maps are referred to as “SLAM maps”.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a SLAM map, according to oneembodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the SLAM map 1700 illustratesa partial mapping of a building floor. The map includes an area 1702that is navigable by a robot 100. The area 1702 does not includeobstacles or objects that might impede the movement of the robot. Thearea 1702 can be identified by the robot generating the SLAM map, forinstance by using a laser rangefinder or other depth sensor to identifythe location of objects (such as chairs, desks, pottery, and the like)or obstacles (such walls, pillars, closed doors, and the like). Thenavigable area 1702 can be indicated within the map, for instance usinga first color, texture, or shade within the map.

The map 1700 also includes an unknown area 1704 that is not yet scannedby the robot 100. This area may be navigable, though because the robothas not yet scanned the area, potential obstacles within the area 1704have not been identified. Unknown areas can be represented within themap using a second color, texture, or shade, allowing a viewer of themap to distinguish between the navigable areas 1702 and the unknownareas 1704. Finally, the map also includes obstacles 1706, representingareas the robot cannot navigate through without potentially beingobstructed or impeded, or without damaging objects representative of theobstacles. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the obstacles are generally thewalls of the building floor represented by the map, though also includeother objects within the building floor that are freestanding or areaway from the walls. Obstacles can be indicated within the map using athird color, texture, or shade, allowing a viewing of the map todistinguish the obstacles from the navigable areas 1702 and the unknownareas 1704.

In some embodiments, boundaries 1708 are included within the map 1700,for instance areas within a threshold distance of the obstacles 1706.Such boundaries can be indicated using a fourth color, texture, orshade. When the robot 100 uses a SLAM map to navigate an area (such asthe floor of the building represented within the embodiment of FIG. 17),the robot can move within the navigable areas 1702 and avoid theboundary areas to the extent possible, beneficially reducing thelikelihood that the robot runs into or otherwise makes contact with anobstacle. In some embodiments, when the robot moves with the navigableareas 1702, the robot can move at a first top speed, and when the robotenters the boundary areas 1708, the robot can move at a second top speedslower than the first top speed. Similarly, robot speed can be adjustedbased on historical foot traffic information, based on a current roomoccupancy, based on detected sounds (e.g., detected human voices oropening doors), based on a proximity to blind corners or intersections,based on a room type (e.g., a robot may move at a slower speed inkitchens than when navigating within parking lots), based on a proximityto particular objects (e.g., a robot may move slowly around high-valueor fragile objects), or based on any other suitable factor.

While SLAM or other areas maps (“non-semantic maps” hereinafter) can beuseful for the purpose of robot navigation within an area, therangefinders or depth sensors used by the robot 100 to generate the SLAMmap do not generate information about what detected obstacles or objectsare, or how the robot should handle or interact with the detectedobstacles or objects. The robot can detect and classify or identifyobjects, and can determine a state or other characteristics of theobjects. Information describing the classified/identified objects andthe corresponding detected states or other characteristics of theobjects are stored in conjunction with the non-semantic maps, inassociation with a location of the objects relative to the non-semanticmap. The generation of a semantic map refers to the inclusion ofinformation describing objects represented within the map (and theircorresponding detected states and characteristics).

In some embodiments, objects can be detected and identified by the robot100 using one or more sensors, for instance cameras, RFID readers, IRsensors, and the like. For example, the robot can capture an image of anobject, and can apply image detection or classification algorithms toidentify the object type. Likewise, the robot can analyze images of theobject to determine a state of the object. For instance, if the robotdetects a door, the robot can also detect whether the door is open orclosed. In some embodiments, the identification of objects and objectstates or characteristics can be manually provided by a systemadministrator, a robot operator, an employee or individual associatedwith the robot, and the like. In some embodiments, the robot can accessobject identification and state information from a repository of objectinformation, such as a building database identifying the location andexpected state of various objects within the building. In someembodiments, object information can be received from other robots thathave scanned locations and identified objects within the locations.Object information can also be received from accessing the centralsystem 210, one or more infrastructure systems 220, or one or moresecurity systems 230. For instance, for a smart door, the robot canquery the state of the smart door (e.g., locked or unlocked) via thenetwork 200. Likewise, the robot can query a building elevator system todetermine the current floor of an elevator.

Examples of detected objects and corresponding object states andproperties (if applicable) include:

-   -   Doors: open/closed, locked/unlocked, required security        credentials to unlock    -   Windows: open/closed, locked/unlocked, broken    -   Elevators: number, current floor, button location, the date of        last inspection (determined by scanning text of an inspection        certificate within the elevator)    -   Stairs: number of floors    -   Bathrooms    -   Lights: on/off, location of light switch, in need of replacing        (burnt out bulbs)    -   Plumbing/piping locations: water damage/leaks    -   Trashcans/recycling bins/compost bins: last emptied, in need of        emptying    -   Rooms: room type (such as office, kitchen, conference room,        bathroom, common area, game room, storage closet, guard station,        laboratory, computer room, utilities room, and the like), room        number, locked/unlocked, required security credentials to        access, normal temperature range, current occupancy    -   Access devices: lock types, card readers, RFID readers    -   Conference rooms: in use/reserved/free, capacity, conference        room assets (desk, number of chairs, computer equipment,        monitor/display/projector, white board), room number    -   Desks: owner, equipment (chair, computer, computer dock)    -   Walls: type (glass, plaster, moveable, etc.), location of doors        within walls    -   Building structural obstacles (such as pillars, columns, etc)    -   Thresholds: geofences, boundaries between rooms, access        credentials required to cross    -   Ramps    -   Hallways    -   Kitchens: available equipment (microwaves, refrigerators, sinks,        water fountain, ice machine, tables, chairs, etc.)    -   Water fountains    -   Fire extinguishers: the date of last inspection    -   Smoke alarms: the date of last inspection    -   Fire sprinklers or other fire suppression systems: the date of        last inspection    -   Vents    -   Power outlets    -   TVs and monitors    -   Computers and computer equipment: printers, servers, keyboards,        keypads, tablets    -   Network equipment: routers, switches, modems, networking cables,        servers, network names, local area network equipment    -   High-value assets: artwork, safes, secure document repositories        or cabinets, secure computer equipment, cash registers, ATMs,        lab equipment, medical equipment    -   Security systems: guard stations, security cameras, access        gates, audio detectors, motion detectors, aerial systems,        security displays    -   Robot systems: robots, charge stations, robot docks, robot        patrol routes    -   Infrastructure systems: temperature sensors, power systems,        generators    -   Retail objects: racks, displays, shelves, drawers, inventory        object types, kiosks, checkout desks    -   Decorative objects: paintings, sculptures, plants    -   First aid kits    -   Locations of frequent false positives (objects frequently        identified as people, etc.)

In addition, a robot 100 can determine usage patterns of detectedobjects (such as any of the detected objects listed above), andinformation describing such usage patterns can be included within thesemantic map. For instance, a robot can query a building system todetermine the floors in a building most frequently visited by anelevator, can access a scheduling system of a building to determinehistorical usage patterns for conference rooms, or can monitor a kitchenarea to determine the times of a day when the kitchen is the mostcrowded. Likewise, a robot can determine behavior or movement patternsof people within an area, and information describing such patterns canbe included within the semantic map. For instance, a robot can query asecurity system to determine a list of people who frequently passthrough an access gate, or can track individuals (for instance, byscanning the RFID badges of the individuals) to determine historicalpatterns of movement of the individuals.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can determine a height of detectedobjects, and can generate a 3D semantic map based on the detectedheights. For instance, the robot can, using rangefinders, cameras, orother sensors, determine the height of nearby walls, doors, windows,obstructions, and the like. Using these heights, the robot can generatea 3D model of a 2D semantic map, for instance by rendering a building'sstructure in 3D (e.g., walls, hallways, passage ways, and the like), andby projecting detected objects at a height relative to the renderedstructure based on a detected height of the objects in the real world.

FIG. 18 illustrates the generation of a 3D semantic map by a robot,according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the robot 100uses a camera array to detect 1802 objects, such as the window 1804, andthe heater vent 1806, within a proximity of the robot. The robot alsodetermines of height of each of these detected objects. The robotproceeds with detecting a height of all detected objects within an area,such as a building floor. When the objects and the corresponding heightsof the objects within the area are determined, the robot can generate arendered 3D semantic map 1808 representative of the area. The 3Dsemantic map can include visual representations of the detected objects(either captured images of the objects or substitute representations ofthe objects based on the object type) at the detected height (within the3D semantic map) of the objects. Although description of dimensionswithin a 3D semantic map herein is limited to object height, it shouldbe noted that a robot can detect object width and depth as well asheight, and can in some embodiments generate 3D semantic maps thatrepresent detected objects at corresponding heights, widths, and/ordepths.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example semantic map of a building floor,according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the semantic map 1900of FIG. 19 is stored as a data construct accessible to and usable by arobot 100, an operator of the robot, the central system 210, securitypersonnel 250, or any other suitable entity. In some embodiments, thesemantic map is displayed within an interface, beneficially enabling ahuman observer to view and/or interact with the semantic map (forinstance, by clicking on or selecting an object identified within thesemantic map, and providing additional information about the object,such as a state of the object, in response). Information identifying anobject, a state of the object, a location of the object, or othercharacteristics of the object is referred to herein as “identificationinformation”.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the semantic map 1900 includes walls 1902associated with the building floor. The semantic map also includes adoor 1904, and windows 1905. The semantic map 1900 further identifiesvarious rooms, such as the conference room 1906, the office 1908, theentryway 1912, the sitting area 1914, the kitchen 1916, the restrooms1920 and 1921, the secure area 1928, the lab 1930, and storage rooms1932 and 1934. In addition, the semantic map identifies objects withinthese rooms, such as the conference table 1907, the desk 1909, thechairs 1910, the ottomans 1915, the couch 1917, the fridge 1918, thesink 1919, and the shelves 1929. The semantic map further identifiesinfrastructure, such as the cubicle arrays 1922 and 1924. Finally, thesemantic map identifies security systems, such as the access gate 1926,security cameras 1940 and 1942, and the patrol route 1950.

In some embodiments, the semantic map 1900 can display identificationinformation as text within the semantic map. For example, room names,room numbers, the names of office owners, and the like can be displayedwithin or overlaid upon the semantic map. In some embodiments, thesemantic map can highlight portions of the semantic map corresponding toidentification information. For example, the portion of the mapcorresponding to the conference room 1906 can be highlighted aparticular color, for instance a color corresponding to conferencerooms, and the portion of the map corresponding to the restrooms 1920and 1921 can be highlighted a different color, for instance a colorcorresponding to restrooms. In some embodiments, the patrol route 1950can be displayed as a line or dotted line, as a colored path (theboundaries or width of which corresponds to the most likely path of therobot 100 as the robot patrols the route), or using any other suitableidentifier. Portions of the semantic map can also be color-coded basedon access credentials required to access the portions, based on a typeof room or map portion, based on a current occupancy of rooms or mapportions, or based on any other suitable criteria. In addition todisplaying text or color representative of the identificationinformation, the semantic map can include icons or other visualindicators representative of the identification information or varioustypes of identification information, and can further include a legendwithin the display of the semantic map identifying the meaning of eachcolor, icon, and the like used to represent the identifying information.

Although reference is made herein to the display of identificationinformation by the semantic map 1900, it should be noted that in someembodiments, such information is not immediately visible to a viewer ofthe map. For instance, the semantic map may be displayed without text orother identifiers, and may display text and other identifyinginformation only upon a mouseover of an object, a selection of anobjection, a configuration of the display of the semantic map into aparticular mode that displays the identifying information, and the like.In embodiments where the semantic map is not displayed (for instance,embodiments in which the robot 100 uses the semantic map to perform atask or security operation), the information identifying objects (andobject location, state, and characteristics information) can be storedwithin metadata of the map, stored in a separate data constructcorresponding to the map, or stored in any other suitable way such thatthe information is accessible to an entity viewing or using the semanticmap.

It should be noted that although state information or objectcharacteristic information is not illustrated in conjunction with theobjects in semantic map 1900 of the embodiment of FIG. 19, the semanticmap can include such information. State information or objectcharacteristics information can be presented to a user viewing thesemantic map (for instance, in an overlay interface or an interfaceadjacent to the semantic map), and can be displayed any time thesemantic map is displayed, or in response to a request for suchinformation (for instance, in response to the selection of an objectdisplayed within the semantic map). For example, the semantic map caninclude information identifying the door 1904 as currently closed andunlocked, and identifying the windows 1905 as open. Likewise, thesemantic map can store a maximum occupancy of the conference room 1906,an owner of the office 1908, individuals assigned to desks within thecubicle arrays 1922 and 1924, requisite credentials required to accessthe security area 1928, and the like.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a process for generating a semanticmap, according to one embodiment. A robot detects 2000 obstacles andpathways within a location (such as a building floor), for instanceusing laser rangefinders or other object, obstacle, or depth sensors.The robot generates 2005 an area map (or non-semantic map) identifyingthe location of the detected obstacles and pathways corresponding to thelocation. The robot identifies 2010 a set of objects within thelocation, for instance using a camera array or other sensors or imagerecognition components. The robot determines 2015, for each object, atype of the object, the location of the object, and a state of theobject. The robot generates 2020 a semantic map by modifying the areamap to include, for each object, the type and state of the object at thelocation within the area map corresponding to the location of theobject. In some embodiments, the semantic map includes an identifier orother identifying information corresponding to the detected objects. Thesemantic map is then provided 2025 to a central system, for instance asystem communicatively coupled to the robot.

B. Semantic Map Usage

In some embodiments, a floor plan for a building floor can be generatedbased on a semantic map generated by the robot 100. Likewise, a semanticmap can be generated by the robot based on a building floor plan. Asused herein, a floor plan can include a SLAM map. Locations of neededinformational signage within the building floor can be identified usingthe semantic map, for instance wheel-chair ramp access signs, conferenceroom names, restroom signs, and navigational signs (for example,indicating a direction to the kitchen). In some embodiments, a robot,security personnel 250, or any other individual can use a semantic mapto identify any safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers) orbuilding infrastructure (such as elevators) that require inspectionssoon, or whose inspections are past due.

A robot 100 can navigate within an area using a semantic map or agenerated floor map, for instance by selecting a route that avoidsobstacles (e.g., by a threshold distance), by selecting routes thatavoid high-trafficked areas, by selecting routes that maximize therobot's exposure or proximity to high-value assets or other objects, andthe like. In some embodiments, the robot can plan a route through anarea (such as a building floor) in advance using the semantic map, orcan dynamically adjust a route by querying the semantic map to identifyan alternative route to a location (for instance, in the event that aroute is blocked or in the event that suspicious activity or a securityviolation is detected).

Semantic maps can include permissible locations within map portions fordetected objects. For instance, for high-value objects, such as computerequipment or sensitive documents, a semantic map can identify rooms inwhich the high-value objects are allowed to be taken. A robot 100 candetect an object within a building (for instance, while patrolling aroute through the building), can query a semantic map of the buildingwith an identifier identifying the detected object to determine portionsof the building in which the detected object is permitted to be, and candetermine whether the detected object is located in a location in whichit is not permitted to be. In such instances, the robot can notifysecurity personnel 250 to relocate the object to a permissible locationand can monitor the object until the security personnel arrive. In someembodiments, the robot can physically relocate the object to apermissible location, for instance using one or more robotic arms 740.In some embodiments, the robot, while patrolling a route, can detect allobjects within an area (for instance, by scanning RFID tags coupled tothe objects), and can use the semantic map to identify any detectedobjects within the area that are not permitted to be within the area, toidentify any detected objects that are misplaced (for instance, after anoffice move from a first location to a second location), or to identifyany detected objects flagged as lost.

Semantic maps can be used by a robot 100 to determine if particularrooms are over capacity. For instance, if a semantic map indicates thata particular conference room as a maximum occupancy of 10 people, arobot can determine that the conference room is over-capacity inresponse to detecting more than 10 people within the room. In suchinstances, the robot can inform the occupants that the room isover-crowded, or can flag the room for manual inspection by securitypersonnel 250. In some embodiments, the semantic map can be used toidentify historically under-utilized rooms, for instance at particulartimes of the day. In such embodiments, the identified under-utilizedrooms can be prioritized for future room reservations, for instance bysuggesting such rooms to individuals attempting to schedule meetings.

Semantic maps can be used to identify objects or infrastructure inneeded of maintenance or repair. For instance, a robot 100 can use asemantic map to identify light bulbs that need to be replaced, leaksthat need to be fixed, cracks within walls that need to be fixed, trashcans that need to be emptied, and the like. In response to identifyingthe objects or infrastructure in need of maintenance or repair, therobot can request that maintenance or building personnel perform themaintenance or repair. It should be noted that in some embodiments, arobot can perform these tasks without the use of a semantic map (forinstance, by detecting a burnt out light bulb or a full trash can whilepatrolling a route). Likewise, it should be noted that in someembodiments, the semantic map can identify a location of objects (suchas light fixtures or trash cans) within an area, but not the currentstate of such objects, and the robot can patrol a route within aproximity of each of the locations of the objects to determine if theobjects need maintenance or repair (for instance, by detecting whether alight bulb is burn out or a trash can is full). In some embodiments,robots can regularly, periodically, or in response to a manual request,patrol maintenance routes based on a location of maintenance-relatedobjects identified by a semantic map. It should also be noted that asdescribed herein, the robot can update a semantic map in response todetecting events or characteristics of a location associated with thesemantic map (e.g., by indicating a location of a burnt out light bulb,a broken window, etc.)

The robot 100 can use locations of likely false positive detectionsidentified by a semantic map to determine if a detected object orindividual is the result of a false positive detection. For instance, ifa robot scans a wall poster of a person and identifies the person withinthe poster as an individual, the robot can query a semantic map to seeif the location of the poster is associated with frequent or possiblefalse positive detections of individuals. In such embodiments, the robotcan flag the potential false positive detection for manualclassification by an operator of the robot, can dismiss the detectedindividual as a likely false positive, can perform additional scans(such as heat scanning, IR scanning, or depth detection) to aid in theclassification, or can perform any other suitable action in response tothe semantic map identifying the location as associated with falsepositive detections. In some embodiments, in response to one or morefalse positive detections within a particular location, the robot caninstitute a “time-out” period, where subsequent detections within thelocation are ignored or classified as also likely false positivedetections.

The robot 100 can measure various signals within a location, forinstance while moving through the location or patrolling a route, andcan aggregate the measured signals over time to obtain average signalvalues for particular locations. For instance, the robot can measuretemperature, WiFi signal strength, detected network activity, thelocation and strength of Bluetooth or RFID beacons and devices, carbonmonoxide levels, and the like. The aggregated information can beincluded within a semantic map, for instance as a heat map, where coloror shade is used to represent values of the aggregated information(e.g., the color red can be used to represent high levels of WiFi signalstrength, the color blue can be used to represent low levels of WiFisignal strength, and colors in between can be used to represent middlelevels of WiFi signal strength). The robot can use a semantic map thatincludes aggregated or historical signal information to perform one ormore functions or security operations. For example, if the robot losesconnectivity to the network 200, the robot can use the semantic map toidentify a location within a floor that historically has strong WiFisignal strength, and can move to the identified location to reconnectwith the network. The loss of connectivity implies a loss of theinability of a robot operator to control the robot; thus, the ability ofthe robot to autonomously relocate to reconnect to the networkbeneficially enables the robot to restore the ability of the operator tocontrol the robot.

Continuing with the above example, the robot 100 can use a semantic mapthat includes aggregated or historical signal information to identifylocations with abnormally high or low temperatures (which may indicate asecurity violation, a broken furnace or air conditioning unit, an openor broken window, or the like), to identify locations with dangerouslevels of carbon monoxide, to identify areas with abnormally high levelsof network activity (which may indicate a security violation), or toidentify any other signals that vary from historical averages or ranges.In such embodiments, the robot can perform a security operation (forinstance, investigating a cause of the abnormal signal values,requesting security personnel 250 to come investigate, or performing anaction or security operation using an infrastructure system 220 orsecurity system 230), can trigger a fire alarm or fire sprinklers (forinstance, in the event that abnormal levels of smoke or carbon monoxideare detected, in order to evacuate the premises), can requestmaintenance personnel to investigate (for instance, in response todetermining that a heating or cooling system is broken), or can updatethe semantic map to include the abnormal signal information.

In some embodiments, semantic maps can include information identifyingan individual's historical movements or behaviors. In such embodiments,the robot 100 can identify an individual within a location and/orperforming an activity, and can use a semantic map to determine if theuser is in a location outside of the historical norms of the user'smovements or if the user's activity is outside of the historical normsof the user's behavior. In both instances, the robot can determine thatthe user may be acting suspiciously, and may represent a security policyviolation. In response, the robot can perform a security operation, suchas following and monitoring the individual, requesting that a securitysystem 230 record video of the individual, locking nearby doors, and thelike.

The robot 100 can update a semantic map as the robot moves within anarea, for instance as the robot patrols the area. For example, as therobot detects objects, object states, and object characteristics duringa patrol route, the robot can update a semantic map with informationrepresentative of the detected objects, states, and characteristics. Asthe robot patrols a route, the robot can query such a semantic map todetermine if a detected object is in a different location than indicatedby the semantic map, to determine if the object is in a different statethat indicated by the semantic map, or to determine if thecharacteristics of the object are different than indicated by thesemantic map. For instance, if the robot detects a window and determinesthat the window is closed on a first patrol of a route, updates asemantic map to indicate that the window is closed, then subsequentlydetermines that the window is open on a second patrol route, the robotcan query the semantic map to determine that the state of the window haschanged between patrol routes. In such instances, if robot uses asemantic map to determine if the location, state, or othercharacteristics of a detected object changes, the robot can identify thechange as a potential security threat or policy violation, and canperform one or more security operations in response.

The robot 100 can use a semantic map to identify infrastructure systems220 and security systems 230 closest to a particular location. Forinstance, if the robot detects a potential intruder within a building ata given location, the robot can query the semantic map to identifysecurity cameras closest to the given location, and can instruct thesecurity cameras to look for and record video of the potential intruder.Likewise, if the robot detects smoke or high levels of carbon monoxide,the robot can query the semantic map to identify the fire detectorsclosest to the robot, can request smoke detection information from theidentified fire detectors, can query the semantic map to identify firesprinklers closest to the robot in the event that the fire detectorsalso detect smoke, and can activate only the identified fire sprinklers(beneficially reducing the damage caused by more distance firesprinklers while still targeting the locations in which the smokeoriginates). Accordingly, the robot can query a semantic map with alocation to identify infrastructure or security systems closest to thelocation, and can perform an action (such as a security operation) usingthe identified infrastructure or security systems.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a process for detecting securitypolicy violations and performing security operations using a semanticmap, according to one embodiment. A semantic map corresponding to alocation is accessed 2100 by a robot (for instance, a robot patrolling abuilding floor). The robot detects 2105 an object with the location, andqueries 2110 the accessed semantic map with the location of the detectedobject. In some embodiments, instead of querying the accessed semanticmap with the location of the detect object, the robot queries thesemantic map using an identifier or other property of the object (suchas an RFID tag identifier). A result set of objects and correspondinginformation (such as object types, locations, and states) is accessed inresponse to the query. The robot determines 2115 if the detected objectviolates a security policy based on a result of the query of thesemantic map. For instance, the robot can determine that a location orstate of the detected object has changed in violation of a securitypolicy governing the location or state of the detected object. Inresponse to the detected security policy violation, the robot performs2120 one or more security operations. For instance, the robot canmonitor the detected object, can request security personnel investigatethe detected object, or can instruct nearby security cameras to recordvideo of the detected object.

RFID Management

As noted above, the RFID system 738 of the robot 100 can identify anddetermine the location of RFID tags within a proximity of the robot. Insome embodiments, the robot can autonomously identify RFID tags withinan area, beneficially enabling the robot to take inventory of objectscoupled to the RFID tags, to identify missing RFID tags, to identifymoved or misplaced RFID tags, and to update an inventory database basedon the identified RFID tags. Although reference will be made herein toretail embodiments (with retail inventory coupled to RFID tags), itshould be noted that the principles described herein apply equally toany embodiment in which the location and tracking of RFID tags isdesirable, such as warehouse environments, office environments,laboratory environments, high security environments, and the like. Itshould also be noted that while reference is made to RFID readers andtags herein, the description herein applies equally to any type ofsignal emission and detection devices.

A. RFID Tag Detection

The robot 100 navigates within a location (such as a retail store orbuilding floor) and identifies RFID tags within the location. In someembodiments, any number of robots can identify RFID tags within thelocation, for instance one or more ground-based robots and/or one ormore aerial systems. Robots with RFID reading capabilities canbeneficially detect RFID tags coupled to objects that tend to berelocated or moved, can beneficially increase an RFID detection area byvirtue of the movement of the robot, and unlike stationary orwall/ceiling-mount readers, aren't limited in coverage scope.

As noted above, RFID tags can be coupled to retail inventory (forinstance, clothing, electronics, books, and the like), warehouseinventory (such as boxes, crates, and the like), important assets (suchas lab equipment, computer equipment, and the like), or to any suitableobject. RFID tags can be passive (providing identification informationat short distances in response to receiving a signal from a reader'sinterrogating radio waves) or active (with a local power sourceconfigured to provide identification information at much longerdistances, and without requiring the receipt of a signal from a reader).In some embodiments, RFID tags can be stickers applied to a surface orobject, while in other embodiments, RFID tags can include largercircuitry, a housing, a power source, and the like.

As noted above, the robot 100 can include reader antennas 730 toidentify or detect RFID tags, and can include direction of arrival (or“DoA”) antennas 732 to determine a location of the detected RFID tags.The RFID reader antennas of the robot can be distributed along a heightof the robot, enabling the robot detect RFID tags at a plurality ofheights. In some embodiments, the locations of the reader antennas arefixed, while in other embodiments, the reader antennas are configuredmove along a height of the robot, beneficially enabling the readerantennas to dynamically scan a plurality of heights for potential RFIDtags. Likewise, the RFID DoA antennas can be fixed at various locationsalong a height of the robot, for instance at a top of the robot, on anexterior of the robot, or within the robot body. In other embodiments,the location of the DoA antennas can be changed dynamically. Inembodiments where the robot can adjust a height of the reader antennasor DoA antennas, the reader or DoA antennas can be located on a moveableor extendible arm, or can be located on a moving surface within or onthe outside of the robot.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate example antenna distributions within arobot, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 22A, therobot 100 includes two sets of reader antennas 730 at two differentheights within the robot, and includes a set of DoA antennas 732 on atop surface of the robot. In the embodiment of FIG. 22B, the robot 100includes a similar distribution of reader antennas, but includes a setof DoA antennas within the robot body.

In some embodiments, the reader and DoA antennas can be distributedaround a circumference or perimeter of the robot 100. For instance, inthe embodiment of FIGS. 22A and 22B, the reader antennas 730 and the DoAantennas 732 each include a set of four antennas facing outward atdistributed at 90 degree intervals around the circumference of therobot. In some embodiments, each antenna has a beamwidth of greater than90 degrees such that a set of four antennas can form a collectivebeamwidth of 360 degrees around the robot. In some embodiments, eachreader or DoA antenna is circularly polarized, while in otherembodiments, pairs of antennas can be linearly polarized. In someembodiments, antenna arrays can be located on a rotating componentwithin the robot (such as the robot head 602 or body 604), beneficiallyenabling the robot to rotate a portion of the robot to provide expandedand/or dynamically beamwidths without requiring the rotation of theentire robot.

In some embodiments, the RFID antenna arrays can be located on a boomarm that can extend outward and away from the robot, beneficiallyproviding coverage of locations outside the dimensions of a robot 100.FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate an example of an antenna array located onan extendible robot boom arm, according to one embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 23A, the robot 100 includes an antenna array 2302located on a collapsed boom arm. In the embodiment of FIG. 23B, the boomarm 2304 is extended upward and away from the robot body, beneficiallyenabling the robot to reader RFID signals at heights much greater thanthe height of the robot itself.

To locate items coupled to RFID tags, the robot 100 can scan areas in adirection and height corresponding to locations where items coupled tothe RFID tags can be located. For example, for a circular rack within astore, the robot can circumnavigate around the rack, and can aim areader antenna array at a height corresponding to the rack (or athreshold distance below the rack to compensate for the height of ahanger) to scan for RFID tags. Likewise, for a set of shelves, the robotcan aim a reader antenna array at heights corresponding to each shelf,or can “sweep” the shelves by adjusting a height of the reader antennaarray from a top of the shelves to the bottom (or vice versa). In someembodiments, the robot can perform a 3D scan of infrastructure within astore to identify potential locations for store inventory, and can aimreader antenna arrays based on the identified potential locations toscan for RFID tags. Likewise, the robot can access pre-existing 3D datafor store infrastructure to identify the potential locations to scan forRFID tags. By identifying potential locations for RFID tags, the robotcan also determine the location of items coupled to the RFID tagswithout the need for a DoA antenna array. For instance, if the robotidentifies a set of cubby holes within a shelving structure, the robotcan scan each cubby hole, and in response to scanning a cubby hole andidentifying an RFID tag, the robot can determine that the location ofthe identified RFID tag is the scanned cubby hole.

B. RFID Tag Localization

The robot 100 can determine a location of a detected RFID tags in anumber of ways. In some embodiments, the robot can determine a locationof a detected tag by evaluating a proximity of the robot to potentialtag locations. In such embodiments, if only one potential RFID taglocation is within a threshold distance of the robot at the time the tagis detected, the robot can determine that the detected RFID tag islocated at the potential RFID tag location. Likewise, if many potentialRFID tag locations are within a threshold distance of the robot at thetime the tag is detected, but only one of the potential RFID taglocations is historically associated with the detected RFID tag, therobot can determine that the detected RFID tag is located at thepotential RFID tag location historically associated with the detectedRFID tag.

The robot 100 can also determine a location of a detected RFID tag basedon two instances of detecting the tag. For instance, the robot candetect the RFID tag a first time when navigating a first straight-linepath within a proximity of the tag. The robot can determine a firstlocation of the peak signal strength of the detected RFID tag, and canidentify a first direction to the detected tag as the directionperpendicular to the navigation direction of the robot while navigatingthe first path. The robot can detect the RFID tag a second time whennavigating a second straight-line path with a proximity of the tag, candetermine a second location of the peak signal strength of the detectedRFID tag while navigating the second path, and can identify a seconddirection to the detected tag as the direction perpendicular to thenavigation direction of the robot while navigating the second path. Therobot can determine that the location of the detected RFID tag is thelocation of the intersection of a first line defined by the firstlocation (of the first peak signal strength) and the first direction anda second line defined by the second location (of the second peak signalstrength) and the second direction. As used herein, “peak signalstrength” can refer to peak received signal strength indicator or“RSSI”, or can refer to any suitable measure of signal strength.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can determine a location of adetected RFID tag by detecting a first peak signal strength of the RFIDtag, by moving in a first direction perpendicular to the direction ofmovement of the robot at the location of the first peak signal strength,and by determining a second peak signal strength of the RFID tag. In theembodiment that the second peak signal strength of the RFID tag is lessthan the first peak signal strength, the robot can return the locationof the first peak signal strength and move in a direction opposite thefirst direction. The process can be repeated, allowing the robot toiteratively move closer to the detected RFID tag until the robot is ableto reduce the distance between the robot and the RFID tag to less than athreshold distance. The robot can then identify the location of thedetected RFID tag, or can associate the location of the robot with theRFID tag (for instance, if the threshold distance is less than a meter,a foot, or any other suitable distance).

Alternatively, the robot 100 can include two directive patch antennaspointed in different directions such that the beamwidths of the antennasoverlap at least somewhat. When an RFID tag is detected, the robot canmeasure a signal strength for each directive patch antenna, and can movein a direction of the antenna that measures a greater signal strength.This process can be repeated, allowing the robot to incrementally movecloser to the detected RFID tag. The robot can then identify thelocation of the detected RFID tag, or can associate the location of therobot with the RFID as described above.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can build a Bayesian sensor model forpotential RFID tag locations (for instance, for a rack, shelf, changingroom area, and the like) that predicts RFID tag signal measurementsbased on the expected distances and angles between the RFID readerantennas of the robot and the RFID tags at the potential RFID taglocations. The Bayesian sensor model for a potential RFID tag locationcan be built based on historical RFID tag signals detected by the robotas the robot moves in relation to the potential RFID tag location. TheBayesian sensor model can map one or more of detected RFID tags, RFIDsignal strengths, and robot locations to likelihoods that the RFID tagis located at one or more particular locations. Over time, the robot cangenerate a Bayesian sensor model for every potential RFID tag locationwithin a store, and can select a Bayesian sensor model for use inlocating an RFID tag based on a proximity to a potential RFID taglocation at the time the robot detects the RFID tag being localized.

When the robot subsequently detects an RFID tag in proximity to thepotential RFID tag location, the robot can select a Bayesian sensormodel from a set of Bayesian sensor models based on a proximity topotential RFID tag locations, and can query the Bayesian sensor modelwith one or more of the detected RFID tag, the signal strength of thedetected RFID tag, and the location of the robot at the time the RFIDtag was detected. The Bayesian sensor model can return a set ofpotential RFID tag locations and corresponding likelihoods that thedetected RFID tag is located at each location, and the robot can selectamong the potential RFID tag locations to locate the detected RFID tag.For instance, by selecting the most likely potential RFID tag locationor by selecting a set of the most likely potential RFID tag locations.In some embodiments, the robot can move to another location andre-detect the RFID tag, and can re-query the Bayesian model using there-detected RFID tag signal to obtain a second set of potential RFID taglocations and corresponding likelihoods, can combine the probabilitiesof the first set of potential RFID tag locations and the second set ofRFID tag locations, and can select a potential RFID tag location basedon the combined probabilities (for instance by selecting the most likelypotential RFID tag location).

In some embodiments, stationary/permanent reference RFID tags within astore can be used to localize other RFID tags. For instance, a referenceRFID tag can be placed on each end of a shelf. When the robot 100detects an RFID tag, the robot can also detect one or both of thereference RFID tags. The robot can identify the location of the detectedRFID tag as located on the shelf based on the detected reference RFIDtags. In some embodiments, the robot can localize the detected RFID tagbased on the strength of the detected referenced RFID tag signals. Forinstance, if the robot weakly detects one of the reference RFID tags anddoesn't detect the other, and strongly detects the RFID tag beinglocalized, the robot can determine that the RFID tag being localized isnot located on the shelf (since otherwise the reference RFID tags wouldbe detected more strongly). Likewise, if the robot detects a firstreference RFID tag strongly, detects the second reference RFID tagweakly, and detects the RFID tag being localized strongly, the robot candetermine that the detected RFID tag being localized is located on theside of the shelf closest to the first reference RFID tag.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the robot 100 can include a DoAantenna array to determine a location of a detected RFID tag. DoAantenna arrays can include a plurality of DoA antennas spaced a distanceapart such that the antennas can detect a difference in phase ofreceived RFID signal. In some embodiments, each DoA antenna pair isspaced a distance that is less than or equal to a quarter of the RFIDsignal wavelength. The robot can estimate a direction of arrival of theRFID signal based on the difference in signal phase detected by a DoAantenna pair. However, the estimated direction of arrival of the RFIDsignal represents the actual direction of arrival for the RFID signal,or 180 degrees from/the opposite of the direction of arrival for theRFID signal. To unambiguously identify the direction of arrival, a thirdDoA antenna can be included within the DoA array. In such embodiments,the third DoA antenna can detect the RFID signal, and if the detectedRFID signal by the third DoA antenna is stronger than the RFID signaldetected by one or both of the DoA antenna pair, the estimated directionof arrival for the RFID signal can be determined to be the actualdirection of arrival for the RFID signal. Alternatively, if the detectedRFID signal by the third DoA antenna is weaker than the RFID signaldetected by one or both of the DoA antenna pair, the actual direction ofarrival for the RFID signal can be determined to be 180 degrees from (orthe opposite of) the estimated direction of arrival.

A DoA antenna array can include any number of DoA antennas (forinstance, three, four, six, eight, or more), and can be located withinor external to the robot 100. For instance, the DoA antenna array of therobot 100 can include four DoA monopole antennas equally spaced around atop surface circumference of the robot. For example, in the embodimentof FIG. 22A, the robot includes four DoA antennas 732 each spaced at 90degree intervals from adjacent antennas around a center of the topsurface of the robot. Likewise, the DoA antenna array can include eightDoA monopole antennas equally spaced around an inside perimeter of therobot body. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 22B, the robotincludes eight DoA antennas each spaced at 45 degree intervals fromadjacent antennas around a center of the robot body.

In some embodiments, the DoA antenna array can include a first set ofantennas to determine an azimuth direction of arrival for RFID signals(e.g., a horizontal angle of arrival relative to the horizon), and caninclude a second set of antennas to determine an elevation direction ofarrival for RFID signals (e.g., a vertical angle of arrival relative tothe horizon, or “elevational direction of arrival”). In suchembodiments, the first set of antennas can be oriented perpendicular tothe second set of antennas. Using two sets of DoA antennas can enablethe robot 100 to determine an exact direction of a detected RFID signal(e.g., not just a direction of arrival angle parallel to the floor, butalso including an angular displacement upward or downward relative tothe floor).

In addition to detecting a direction of arrival for detected RFIDsignals, the robot 100 can determine a distance between the robot andthe corresponding RFID tag. In some embodiments, the robot can determinea signal strength of the detected RFID signal (e.g., the “RSSI” of thedetected signal), and can determine a distance between the robot and thecorresponding RFID tag based on the determined signal strength. In someembodiments, the robot can perform frequency modulation continuous wave(“FMCW”) ranging on the detected RFID signal to determine a distancebetween the robot and the corresponding RFID tag.

In embodiments where the robot 100 can determine an azimuth direction ofarrival for a detected RFID tag and a distance between the robot and thetag, the robot can identify a location of the RFID tag within atwo-dimensional map (for instance, a floor plan of a retail store).Likewise, in embodiments where the robot can determine an azimuthdirection of arrival, an elevational angle of arrival, and a distance tothe RFID tag, the robot can identify a location of the RFID tag within athird-dimensional map (for instance, a three-dimensional rendering of aretail store).

C. Robot Behavior in RFID Environments

When scanning for RFID tags within a retail store, the robot 100 canplan a path through the store based on historical locations or RFID tagsand/or based on known possible locations for RFID tags. For instance, ifa store includes a set of infrastructure objects configured to holdstore inventory, the robot can select a route through the store thatcomes within a threshold distance of each of the set of infrastructureobjects. As used in this context, “threshold distance” refers to adistance within which the robot is likely to detect an RFID tag (forinstance, at a 90% likelihood, a 95% likelihood, a 98% likelihood, orany other suitable likelihood). This threshold distance can also bebased on the RFID reader antenna array strength, the transmissionstrength of each RFID tag, or any other suitable factor.

The robot 100 can also select a route through the store that comeswithin a threshold distance of each historical location of RFID tagwithin the store. The robot can also plan a path through a store basedon sales data for the store. For example, if store sales registersindicate that a set of items has been sold, the robot can select a routethrough the store that comes within a threshold distance of thehistorical locations of each of the sold set of items. Likewise, therobot can select a path through a store that comes within a thresholddistance of all items that sell above a threshold rate (for instance, adaily or hourly rate).

The robot 100 can additionally plan a path through a store to scan forRFID tags based on a goal of the scan. For instance, if the goal of therobot is to quickly scan for all possible RFID locations within thestore or within a portion of the store, the robot can select a paththrough the store that maximizes the number of items the robot comeswithin a threshold distance of while ensuring that the robot cannavigate the path in less than a threshold amount of time. Such a pathcan beneficially enable the robot to quickly identify RFID tags withinthe store or portion of the store, but at the cost of a potentiallyinaccurate or incomplete scan. Likewise, if the goal of the robot is toidentify a maximum number of RFID tags within the store or store potion,the robot can select a path that minimizes the distance between therobot and historical locations of each RFID tag.

FIG. 24 illustrates example navigable paths through an environment toscan for RFID tags, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 24, the robot 100 can select path 2410, which circumnavigates 75%,80%, 90%, or more of each of rack 2400 a, 2400 b, 2400 c, and 2400 d.While navigating this route, the robot can scan for RFID tags by aimingan antenna array at each rack as the robot circumnavigates the rack,beneficially allowing the robot to determine that the location of eachdetected RFID tag is on the rack that the robot is circumnavigating atthe time the RFID tag is detected. Likewise, the robot can select path2412, which takes less time to navigate than path 2410. However, whilethe robot passes with a threshold distance of each rack while navigatingpath 2412, the robot is unable to determine which rack a detected RFIDis located on. Accordingly, the speed of navigating path 2412 comes atthe cost of not being able to localize detected RFID tags.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can navigate down every aisle in astore, or can navigate every second aisle if the reader antenna array ofthe robot is strong enough to detect RFID tags across aisles. In someembodiments, the robot can select a path through a store based on valuesof items coupled to RFID tags. For instance, the robot can select a paththrough the store that comes within a threshold distance of each item ina set of high-value items, beneficially increasing the likelihood thatthe robot will detect the RFID tags coupled to the set of high-valueitems when navigating the selected path. The robot can also select apath based on locations where items waiting to be returned to the salesfloor may be located. For instance, the selected path may come within athreshold distance of each changing room within a store, each returnrack with the store, and sales counters within the store.

The robot 100 can additionally select a path through a store to scan forRFID tags based on information describing historical foot trafficthrough the store. For instance, the robot can select a path that comeswithin a threshold distance of each historical RFID location whileavoiding areas of above-threshold foot traffic. Likewise, if aparticular passage within the store is less than a threshold distancewide, the robot can select a path through the store that avoids theparticular passage. In addition, the robot, while navigating a paththrough the store to scan for RFID tags, can detect people within thestore, and in response to detecting people blocking a particular passageof the path within the store, the robot can wait for the people to movebefore proceeding, can request that the people move, or can select analternative route that comes within a threshold distance of historicalRFID locations or determined potential RFID locations.

The robot 100 can scan for expected RFID tags coupled to retailinventory in a location within a retail store, and in response toscanning the location for the expected RFID tags and not finding thetags, can request that additional inventory be brought to the storefloor to replace the missing inventory. For example, the robot canidentify the missing inventory to the central system 210, which in turncan instruct store personnel to restock the missing inventory.Alternatively, the robot or the central system can instruct anotherrobot to retrieve replacement inventory from storage, or the robot canitself retrieve the replacement inventory from storage and can restockthe retrieved replacement inventory at the location with the retailstore. In some embodiments, the robot can determine that replacementinventory is not locally available, or is in low supply, and can orderadditional replacement inventory from a warehouse, distributionfacility, or other inventory source.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can scan inventory storage toidentify inventory in low supply, and can order replacement inventory asneeded (for instance, if the quantity of replacement inventory fallsbelow a threshold). Replacement inventory can also be ordered based on arate of sales of the inventory. For instance, if the replacementinventory corresponds to an above-threshold rate of sales, the robot canorder replacement inventory, while if the replacement inventorycorresponds to a below-threshold rate of sales, the robot can orderreplacement inventory when the available replacement inventory fallsbelow a threshold quantity. In some embodiments, the robot can orderreplacement inventory based on a combination of rate of sales of theinventory and the available quantity of replacement inventory.

The robot 100, in response to scanning for RFID tags while navigating afirst path through a store and detecting a large discrepancy betweenexpected RFID tags and detected RFID tags, can select a second, morecomprehensive path through the store that maximizes the likelihood thatRFID tags present within the store will be scanned. Such a configurationbeneficially enables a robot to navigate shorter paths through a storemost of the time, while still enabling the robot to navigatecomprehensive paths through the store when needed. In response to alarge discrepancy between RFID tags detected while navigating thesecond, more comprehensive path in a store and expected RFID tags in thestore, the robot can flag the missing items coupled to theexpected-but-not-scanned RFID tags as potentially stolen, and can notifystore employees of the discrepancy.

Shoppers within a retail store can interact with the robot 100, forinstance via the display 720 or by talking to the robot. For instance,if the display is a touch-screen display, the display can display thetext “How can I help you?”, along with selectable options including“help me find an item”, “talk to the store manager”, or “sale items”. Inresponse to the selection of an option by a shopper, the display cantake one or more actions or access and display appropriate information.In some embodiments, the shoppers can speak directly with the robot,which can identify what the shoppers are saying and can take actions orprovide information as needed. For example, if a user selects the “helpme find an item” or asks the robot to show the location of an item, therobot can query the store's inventory database to determine if the itemis still available for sale, can say “follow me”, can navigate to thelast known location of the item within the store, can scan nearby RFIDtags to identify an exact location of the item, and can highlight theitem for the shopper (for instance, using a laser pointer or projectingan arrow on the ground to indicate the location of the item). In someembodiments, the robot can access parse and process user requestsautonomously, but in embodiments in which the robot is unable to parseand process a user request, the robot can provide the request to anoperator of the robot, who can instruct the robot to perform an actionor provide appropriate information in response.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can scan for RFID tags within a storeto identify locations of RFID tags within the store, and can compare theidentified locations with a semantic map including informationidentifying last known locations of the RFID tags or historicallocations of RFID tags. In embodiments where the identified locations ofthe RFID tags differ from the locations within the semantic map, therobot can move items coupled to the RFID tags within the store to thelocations identified by the semantic map, can flag the items coupled tothe RFID tags along with the identified locations of the RFID tags asmisplaced or moved for a store employee to relocate the items coupled tothe RFID tags, or can update the semantic map to reflect the identifiedlocations of the RFID tags. In other words, during the course of movingthrough a store, the robot can identify items that have moved, and canupdate a semantic map to reflect the movement, beneficially producing asemantic map that includes up-to-date locations for store inventory.

In some embodiments, the robot 100 can scan for RFID tags within adoorway of a room, for instance in order to determine if an item coupledto an RFID tag is located within the room. If the robot detects the RFIDtag within the room, the robot does not need to enter the room, as theitem coupled to the RFID tag has already been determined to be in theroom. However, if the robot does not detect the RFID tag within theroom, the robot can enter the room in order to more comprehensively scanfor the item. For instance, if the room is a conference room with alarge conference table, and the item coupled to the RFID tag is aprojector, the robot can enter the conference room, can circumnavigatethe conference table in order to determine if the projector is locatedon the table, and in response to detecting the RFID tag, the robot canupdate an inventory or semantic map to indicate the detected location ofthe project, can store the location of the projector in a database, orcan notify an operator of the location of the projector. If, afterentering the room and more comprehensively scanning for the projector,the robot is unable to detect the RFID tag coupled to the projector, therobot can flag the projector as potentially lost, can inform an operatoror building personnel of the missing projector, or the like.Accordingly, the movement/navigation of the robot can be adjusted basedon the detection or absence of the detection of an RFID tag.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating a process for detecting andlocalizing RFID tags, according to one embodiment. A robot selects 2500a route through a location, such as a retail store. As noted above, theroute can be selected in order to minimize the amount of time it takesthe robot to navigate the route, in order to maximize the number of RFIDtags detected within the location, based on historical foot trafficwithin the location, based on historical RFID tag locations within thelocation, and the like. In some embodiments, the route is selected bythe robot as part of a periodically-performed patrol operation, while inother embodiments, the robot selects the route in order to locate anitem or perform an inventory-related operation. In some embodiments, theroute is selected as part of an operation unrelated to scanning for RFIDtags (for instance, in response to a customer query, in response to theperformance of a security operation, and the like).

The robot detects 2505 an RFID tag while navigating the selected route.The RFID tag can be detected using, for instance, an array of RFIDreader antennas. The robot can then localize 2510 the detected RFID tag.As noted above, the detected RFID tag can be localized by detecting theRFID tag from multiple locations and extrapolating the RFID taglocation, by identifying a set of potential RFID tag locations andselecting among the potential RFID tag locations, or by correlating thedetected RFID tag with corresponding historical RFID tag locations toidentify the detected RFID tag location. In some embodiments, the robotcan include a DoA antenna array, and can determine the location of theRFID tag using the DoA antenna array to determine an azimuth directionof arrival of a received RFID signal, and/or determining an elevationaldirection of arrival of the received RFID signal. The robot can furtherdetermine a distance between the robot and the detected RFID tag, forinstance based on a signal strength of the detected RFID signal.

The robot identifies 2515 an object coupled to the RFID tag. Forexample, in retail environments, the object can be an object for salewithin the retail store, while in warehouse environments, the object canbe a box or crate of inventory. The robot performs 2520 an operationassociated with the identified object based on the detected RFID tag. Insome embodiments, the operation includes updating an inventory databaseto include the identified object coupled to the detected RFID tag. Inother embodiments, the operation can include updating an inventorydatabase with the determined location of the detected RFID tag,informing a customer of the location of the identified object coupled tothe RFID tag (for instance, in response to a request from the customerfor the location of the RFID tag), informing a store employee of thelocation of the identified object, flagging the identified object withinan inventory database for relocation, moving the identified object to alocation identified by an inventory database and corresponding to theidentified object, adjusting the selected route of the robot based onthe location of the detected RFID tag, or any other suitable operationbased on one or more of the detected RFID tag, the identity of theobject coupled to the RFID tag, and the determined location of the RFIDtag.

Summary

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedisclosure.

Some portions of this description describe the embodiments of theinvention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations ofoperations on information. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are commonly used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively toothers skilled in the art. These operations, while describedfunctionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to beimplemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits,microcode, or the like, for instance, within a robot or robot system.Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to thesearrangements of operations as modules or engines, without loss ofgenerality. The described operations and their associated modules may beembodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combinations thereof.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may beperformed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules,alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, asoftware module is implemented with a computer program productcomprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code,which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or allof the steps, operations, or processes described. Further, thefunctionalities described herein can be performed by a hardwareprocessor or controller located within the robot.

Embodiments of the invention may also relate to an apparatus forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, and/or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfiguredby a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer programmay be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storagemedium, or any type of media suitable for storing electronicinstructions, which may be coupled to a computer system bus.Furthermore, any computing systems referred to in the specification mayinclude a single processor or may be architectures employing multipleprocessor designs for increased computing capability.

Embodiments of the invention may also relate to a product that isproduced by a computing process described herein. Such a product maycomprise information resulting from a computing process, where theinformation is stored on a non-transitory, tangible computer readablestorage medium and may include any embodiment of a computer programproduct or other data combination described herein.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited notby this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on anapplication based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodimentsof the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, ofthe scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile robot, comprising: a motorized baseconfigured to move and rotate the mobile robot; a power sourceconfigured to provide power to the motorized base; a housing bodycoupled to the motorized base; a fabric panel removably coupled aroundan exterior of the housing body, the fabric panel comprising a topopening with a first diameter and a bottom opening with a seconddiameter greater than the first diameter; a set of sensors coupled tothe housing body configured to detect signals that propagate through thefabric panel and to generate information representative of the detectedsignals; a robot head coupled to the housing body such that the housingbody is coupled between the motorized base and the robot head; a displaycoupled to the robot head, the display configured to display a userinterface associated with the mobile robot; and a wireless transceiverconfigured to provide the generated information to a receiving entity.2. The mobile robot of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the fabric panelincreases linearly from the first diameter at the top of the fabricpanel to the second diameter at the bottom of the fabric panel.
 3. Themobile robot of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the fabric panel isconstant from the top of the fabric panel to the bottom of the fabricpanel.
 4. The mobile robot of claim 1, wherein the fabric panelcomprises one or both of: a stretchy fabric material and a mesh fabricmaterial.
 5. The mobile robot of claim 1, wherein the housing bodyincludes an interface, wherein the fabric panel includes a side opening,and wherein the side opening aligns with the interface when the fabricpanel is coupled around the exterior of the housing body such that theinterface protrudes through the side opening.
 6. The mobile robot ofclaim 1, wherein the fabric panel includes a first set of holes locatedaround the top opening and a second set of holes located around thebottom opening.
 7. The mobile robot of claim 6, wherein the housing bodyincludes a first set of pins and a second set of pins, and wherein, whenthe fabric panel is coupled around the exterior of the housing body,each of the first set of pins is inserted into a reciprocal hole of thefirst set of holes and each of the second set of pins is inserted into areciprocal hole of the second set of holes.
 8. The mobile robot of claim6, wherein the fabric panel includes a grommet coupled to the fabricpanel around each hole of the first set of holes and the second set ofholes.
 9. The mobile robot of claim 1, wherein the set of sensorsincludes a microphone configured to record audio signals that propagatethrough the fabric panel.
 10. The mobile robot of claim 1, wherein theset of sensors includes an infrared detector configured to recordinfrared signals that propagate through the fabric panel.
 11. The mobilerobot of claim 1, wherein the robot head is configured to rotaterelative to the housing body.
 12. A mobile robot, comprising: amotorized base configured to move and rotate the mobile robot; a powersource configured to provide power to the motorized base; a housing bodycoupled to the motorized base; a set of fabric panels removably coupledaround an exterior of the housing body, each fabric panel including anouter frame and fabric portion coupled around the outer frame; a set ofsensors coupled to the housing body configured to detect signals thatpropagate through the set of fabric panels and to generate informationrepresentative of the detected signals; a robot head coupled to thehousing body such that the housing body is coupled between the motorizedbase and the robot head; a display coupled to the robot head, thedisplay configured to display a user interface associated with themobile robot; and a wireless transceiver configured to provide thegenerated information to a receiving entity.
 13. The mobile robot ofclaim 12, wherein the fabric portions comprise a stretchy fabricmaterial.
 14. The mobile robot of claim 12, wherein the fabric portionscomprise a mesh fabric material.
 15. The mobile robot of claim 12,wherein the housing body includes an interface, wherein a fabric panelof the set of fabric panels includes a side opening, and wherein theside opening aligns with the interface when the set of fabric panels arecoupled around the exterior of the housing body such that the interfaceprotrudes through the side opening.
 16. The mobile robot of claim 12,wherein each outer frame includes a set of attachment mechanisms,wherein the housing body includes reciprocal attachment mechanisms, andwherein the sets of attachment mechanisms and the reciprocal attachmentmechanisms align and couple when the set of fabric panels are coupledaround the exterior of the housing body.
 17. The mobile robot of claim12, wherein the set of sensors includes a microphone configured torecord audio signals that propagate through the set of fabric panels.18. The mobile robot of claim 12, wherein the set of sensors includes aninfrared detector configured to record infrared signals that propagatethrough the set of fabric panels.
 19. A mobile robot, comprising: a baseconfigured to move and rotate the mobile robot; a housing body coupledto the base; a fabric panel removably coupled around an exterior of thehousing body; and a set of sensors coupled to the housing bodyconfigured to detect signals that propagate through the fabric panel andto generate information representative of the detected signals.
 20. Themobile robot of claim 19, wherein the fabric panel includes a topopening with a first diameter corresponding to a diameter of a topportion of the housing body and a bottom opening with second diametergreater than the first diameter and corresponding to a diameter of thebottom portion of the housing body.